Khilda, Jordan, April 15, 2021
Photo: jerusalem-patriarchate.info
The Orthodox communities of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Jordan festively celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Jordanian state over the weekend.
The main celebration was led by His Eminence Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis, who served the Divine Liturgy and a moleben in honor of the historic national occasion at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Khilda, Jordan, reports the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
The Emirate of Transjordan was established in 1921 and became a British protectorate. In 1946, Jordan became an independent state, and in 1949, it was renamed as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
His Eminence spoke warmly of the achievements of past generations who established the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan:
The Divine will intended that we meet on this day to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Jordanian state, recalling the achievements of our ancestors and grandparents who established our Jordanian state ten decades ago. Our hearts are kindled with feelings of pride, as the children and grandchildren of Jordanians who preceded us, for what they sacrificed during the past hundred years for the sake of the elevation of this country, of pure blood that watered its soil and pure souls that scented its sky.
Sunday’s celebration was a testament to Jordan’s firm and unwavering principles since its establishment in 1921, His Eminence said, calling on all to pray for Jordan and for His Majesty King Abdullah II. He also expressed his gratitude to King Abdullah for his protection of Christian holy sites in the Holy Land.
“With all pride, we take this occasion to renew our allegiance and loyalty and rally us around its wise leadership, so that Jordan continues to be a model to be emulated in its unity, security, cultural achievements, and its great humanitarian stances,” the Archbishop said.
The King of Jordan personally helped fund the restoration work at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem over the past several years. In May, the Patriarchate donated to the Jordanian Ministry of Health’s fight against the coronavirus.
Members of the royal house of Jordan have also made statements about the necessity of protecting the persecuted Christians of the Middle East.
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