Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel made a pilgrimage to Jordan

Patriarch Daniel, Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, arrived in Jordan on an official visit as part of his trip to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. According to Orthodox Times, the delegation was accompanied by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, and upon arrival, the distinguished guests were personally greeted by Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed, King Abdullah II’s chief advisor on religious and cultural affairs.

During the pilgrimage, the spiritual leaders visited significant biblical sites, including the cave and spring of St. John the Baptist, as well as the hill of the Prophet Elijah. A highlight of the visit was a visit to the site of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Jordan River, where Patriarch Daniel offered prayers for the blessing of the Bulgarian people and all Orthodox Christians worldwide. This area, of exceptional spiritual and historical value, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The visit’s itinerary also included a visit to the Church of St. John the Baptist, where the patriarchs conducted a memorial service in memory of the late Prince Kardam of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. In addition, the delegation familiarized itself with the activities of the Orthodox Theological University of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Jordan, visiting its library and academic buildings.

Concluding the official part of the reception, Patriarch Daniel presented Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad with a replica of the Panagyurishte Gold Treasure, expressing his gratitude for his efforts to preserve Jordan’s cultural heritage. The visit by the head of the Bulgarian Church is expected to last until September 30.

As a reminder, earlier, King Abdullah II of Jordan, during his address at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly , reaffirmed his country’s commitment to protecting Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and preserving their historical and legal status.