Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel visited Jordan as part of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, touring Christian holy sites along the Jordan River and meeting King Abdullah II in Amman.

Patriarch Daniel arrived with a church delegation and visited the traditional site of Jesus Christ’s baptism on the Jordan River, as well as a spring associated with St. John the Baptist. Clergy accompanying the patriarch held a prayer service on the riverbank and sang the Epiphany troparion in Greek and Church Slavonic.

The delegation also visited the Orthodox Church of St. George the Victorious in Fuheis. Consecrated in the late 19th century, the church is among the oldest functioning Orthodox churches in this part of Jordan. It also supports a Sunday school and educational initiatives.

During his meeting with King Abdullah II in Amman, the two discussed the situation of Christian communities in the Middle East and efforts to preserve the region’s religious heritage. The Jordanian monarch reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting Christian presence in the region and to protecting Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

King Abdullah II also invited Patriarch Daniel to attend celebrations planned in Jordan in 2030 to mark 2,000 years since the baptism of Jesus Christ. The events are expected to take place at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, a site traditionally associated with the baptism of Jesus.

Patriarch Daniel highlighted Jordan’s importance to Bulgarian Orthodox Christians and expressed appreciation for the country’s efforts to preserve its Christian heritage.

During the visit, the Bulgarian delegation also toured the Jerusalem Patriarchate’s Orthodox theological university in Jordan. Patriarch Daniel presented Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the king’s adviser on religious and cultural affairs, with a replica of the Panagyurishte Treasure, a renowned collection of ancient Thracian gold artifacts.

Patriarch Daniel’s visit to the Jerusalem Patriarchate began on September 25 and is scheduled to continue through September 30. It is his first peaceful visit to the patriarchate since his election as head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

During the visit, Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III presented Daniel with the patriarchate’s highest distinction, the Order of the Cross of the Holy Sepulchre.