Israel Begins Preparations for 2,000th Anniversary of Christ's Baptism

JERUSALEM — Israel's Foreign Ministry has launched preparations for the year 2030, when Christians around the world are expected to commemorate 2,000 years since the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has appointed Ambassador George Deek, Israel's special envoy to the Christian world, to lead a government working group tasked with coordinating the anniversary. According to the ministry, the initiative is intended to prepare for what it described as "an event of profound spiritual significance for more than two billion Christians worldwide."

The working group will begin consultations with churches, Christian communities, and clergy around the world while coordinating with other Israeli ministries and government agencies to prepare for the anticipated arrival of millions of pilgrims. The effort is expected to focus on logistical planning as well as engagement with Christian leaders ahead of the milestone anniversary.

Announcing the initiative, Sa'ar said strengthening Israel's relationship with Christians worldwide and ensuring continued access to the Holy Land remain key priorities. He also stated that Israel would "continue to safeguard freedom of worship and access to holy sites for members of all faiths."

The announcement follows several incidents that have strained relations between Israel and Christian communities in recent months, including restrictions affecting clergy during Palm Sunday observances at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the widely publicized destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, and reports of attacks against Christians in Jerusalem's Old City and the West Bank. Earlier this year, Sa'ar appointed Deek, an Arab Christian from Jaffa, as Israel's special envoy to the Christian world following a series of controversies involving Christian communities.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Theophilos III blessed the Four Homes of Mercy expansion in Bethany.