Petra, Jordan, January 29, 2024
Photo: YouTube
For the first time in over a millennium, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in a Byzantine-era church in Petra, Jordan.
On Monday, January 22, His Eminence Archbishop Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Divine Liturgy together with a group of priests. The service was attended by the sisterhood of the Monastery of the Theotokos of the Life-giving Spring in Dibin, reports the Archdiocese of Jordan.
During his homily, Abp. Christophoros spoke about the Christian history of the Petra region. The faith so flourish that the Church was served by seven bishops there, His Eminence said. The monastic life was also widespread there.
Photo: Archdiocese of Jordan
The church was built in 450 AD and contains in its midst columns and distinctive mosaic floors, Greek inscriptions, a semicircular apse for the church, and is considered one of the largest churches in the city of Petra. The outer section contains a large baptismal font and a water well surrounded by ancient Roman columns. According to papyrus scrolls found in a cave adjacent to the church dating back to the 6th century, the church was consecrated to the Most Holy Theotokos. It was built in the form of a basilica with two semi-circular side apses.
Joint efforts between the Orthodox Church, the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Petra Regional Authority aim to place the church on the international map of Christian pilgrimage.
The Archdiocese of Jordan has published a video with scenes from the historic service, and of the entire Liturgy:
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
