Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Bulgaria Visit Amman, Highlighting Christian Presence in Jordan

Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria concluded his visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem by traveling to Amman, Jordan, where he joined Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem at the Orthodox Church of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple in the Sweifieh district. The two church leaders were welcomed for a brief prayer service, marking a significant moment of inter-Orthodox communion in the region.

The ecclesiastical delegation subsequently visited the St Ignatius the God-Bearer Theological Centre to review its work and various initiatives. Following this, the group proceeded in procession to the Church of St Nectarios of Aegina, where they venerated relics of the saint preserved within the church.

The formal reception continued at the premises of the Archdiocese, where Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Adviser to King Abdullah II for Religious and Cultural Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister Muhannad Shehadeh joined the attendees. Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, the Patriarchal Vicar in Amman, welcomed the patriarchs and shared reflections on the mission of the Church in the contemporary world.

Archbishop Christophoros noted that Christians in Jordan enjoy freedom and are able to live their spiritual lives in peace. He placed particular emphasis on the preparations being undertaken by the country for the celebrations marking the second millennium of the Baptism of the Lord, which will be commemorated in 2030. This focus on communal preparation and spiritual readiness echoes the call to pursue peace and unity, as referenced in Romans 12:18.

Patriarch Daniel expressed his joy at having the opportunity to be among the brethren of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, noting the genuine hospitality and love shown throughout his irenic visit. He prayed for the strength, health, and grace of Patriarch Theophilos and Archbishop Christophoros to continue their ministry for the benefit of the Church and society.

The Patriarch also highlighted the support provided by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, describing his deeds as demonstrating genuine love through the promotion of pilgrimage and cultural tourism in the country. Such efforts to preserve religious heritage and foster cultural exchange align with the biblical theme of welcoming the stranger and honoring the sacred, as seen in Psalm 122:6.

At the conclusion of the reception, Patriarch Theophilos thanked Patriarch Daniel for making his first irenic visit to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, describing it as a historic occasion for both the Bulgarian Patriarchate and the ancient Church of Jerusalem. He conveyed greetings to the clergy and faithful of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and expressed hope that encounters and concelebrations between the two Local Churches would become increasingly frequent.

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