Jordan signs deals to develop Jesus’ baptism site ahead of 2,000th anniversary

The Jordanian government has signed four agreements to develop the area where Jesus Christ was baptised as part of preparations to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of the Lord in 2030.

The agreements were signed on Wednesday at the Jordanian government headquarters in Amman following the first meeting of the National Committee for Preparing the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of the Lord, chaired by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.

The committee also includes His Eminence Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The projects will cover approximately 140 hectares of land adjacent to the Al-Maghtas site, where Jesus Christ was baptised, and are intended to preserve the area’s religious and historical character and to improve the experience of pilgrims.

Museum and pilgrims’ village The current state of the Al-Maghtas site, believed to be the place where Jesus Christ was baptised in 30 AD. Photo credit: UNESCO / Ko Hon Chiu Vincent The largest investment, worth $50 million, will involve designing the  Museum of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ , which will cover 5,500 square metres. The museum…