Amman:King Abdullah II met with Patriarch Daniil, the Patriarch of All Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia, at Al Husseiniya Palace.
According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting was attended by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the King's chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy. The King emphasized Jordan's commitment to protecting the Christian presence in the region.
King Abdullah II reaffirmed that under the Hashemite Custodianship, Jordan will maintain its historic and legal duty to protect Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and to address ongoing violations against them.
The King extended an invitation to Patriarch Daniil to participate in Jordan's 2030 millennium celebrations, marking two thousand years since the baptism of Jesus Christ. These celebrations will take place at the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
King Abdullah II highlighted that the millennium celebrations offer an opportunity to emphasize the historical and religious importance of the Baptism Site and other religious and touristic sites in Jordan.
Patriarch Daniil expressed gratitude for the King's custodianship of Christian holy sites and efforts to maintain the Christian presence in the region. He appreciated the warm reception Jordan provides to international Christian visitors at its religious sites.
Additionally, Patriarch Daniil lauded Jordan's role as an exemplar of peace, coexistence, and interfaith harmony.
The meeting was also attended by Alaa Batayneh, Director of the Office of His Majesty, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine and Jordan, and Archbishop Christophoros Atallah, Greek Orthodox Archbishop and Head of the Council of Church Leaders.