His Holiness Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil and the church delegation led by him arrived in Jordan yesterday. The Bulgarian church delegation is accompanied by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was personally welcomed by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor to King Abdullah II for Religious and Cultural Affairs. The first stop on the pilgrimage—part of Patriarch Daniil’s peace visit within the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Patriarchate—was the cave of Saint John the Baptist, where the saint lived and practiced asceticism. The two patriarchs and the church delegation chanted the Troparion of Theophany and the Kontakion of Saint John the Baptist. They also visited the Hill of Saint Elijah, from where the holy prophet ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot; an Orthodox monastery was subsequently built at the site.
At the place on the Jordan River where the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized by Saint John the Baptist, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil prayed for support and God’s blessing for Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria and throughout the world.
His Holiness visited the spring of Saint John the Baptist, where Christ’s Forerunner is believed to have lived. Caves where hermits practiced asceticism in ancient times have also been preserved in the region to this day. Due to its exceptional spiritual and historical significance, the site has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Our church delegation was also welcomed at the Church of St. John the Baptist. Patriarch Daniel and Patriarch Theophilos offered prayers for the soul of the late Prince Kardam of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in whose honor a memorial plaque has been placed in front of the church.
The two patriarchs and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad also visited the Jordan River, where the Troparion of Theophany was chanted in both Greek and Church Slavonic.
Our church delegation also visited the Orthodox Theological University of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Jordan. His Holiness was briefed on the history of the university’s establishment, as well as its mission and objectives. The guests also toured the university’s extensive library.
At a reception in the university hall, His Holiness Patriarch Daniel presented Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad with a replica of the Panagyurishte Gold Treasure and expressed his hope that the Prince would continue his efforts to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
Patriarch Daniel’s visit to Jordan will continue until September 30.
Source: Website of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
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