King of Jordan Donates Land Near the Site of Christ's Baptism to Serbian Church
Source: UOJ Ukraine
AMMAN — On December 8, 2025, Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church visited Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas), the site of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Jordan River.
According to a report from the UOJ's Ukraine bureau, he was accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the king’s advisor on religious and cultural affairs.
During the pilgrimage, the Patriarch walked the Trail of John the Baptist, visited the Hill of Prophet Elijah, the Spring of John the Forerunner, the traditional site of Elijah’s ascension, and ancient churches dating from the 5th–12th centuries.
While at the holy site, Prince Ghazi conveyed King Abdullah II’s wish to gift the Serbian Orthodox Church a plot of land in close proximity to the very place where Jesus Christ was baptized. In response, Patriarch Porfirije stated that through this gift, the king would inscribe his name in golden letters in the history of the Serbian Church.
Earlier this month, the UOJ reported on the Kingdom of Jordan's plan to invest $100 million on a global commemoration of the 2,000th anniversary of the theophany, which will occur in 2033.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.