“Jordan now has a historic opportunity to demonstrate to millions of Christians that the Kingdom is not merely a secondary stop on a pilgrimage itinerary, but an integral part of the Holy Land and home to the authentic site of the Baptism of Christ

“We want Christian children anywhere in the world, when learning about the baptism of Jesus Christ, to know that this event took place here, in Jordan, and for visiting the Baptism Site to become a dream for every Christian believer

“A pilgrimage, he explained, should not end at the Jordan River. Pilgrims should also be encouraged to discover other Christian landmarks across the Kingdom, including Madaba and its famous mosaic map, Mount Nebo, Machaerus and the site associated with Prophet Elijah

“the commemoration goes far beyond a single anniversary or a celebration lasting only a few days. Rather, it represents a historic responsibility and an opportunity to direct the attention of Christians around the world toward Jordan, the land where the Baptism of Christ took place

“pilgrimage does not mean merely travelling to a place of worship, but also transforming the journey itself into a space of prayer

“the initiative seeks to preserve the site’s religious and historical character, strengthen Christian pilgrimage, and improve services while highlighting Jordan’s role in protecting Christian holy sites

“Of course, all cultural monuments must be respected and protected. However, the Lavra is not merely a historical site. The Lavra is a place of prayer