The largest church in the Middle East opened in Jordan

A church dedicated to the baptism of Jesus Christ, the largest in the Middle East, has opened in the Al-Ghara region of Jordan. The church is located near the famous pilgrimage site of Magtasa, where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

The opening ceremony of the church was attended by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State and personal representative of Pope Francis. The event was attended by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and thousands of pilgrims from different countries.

The church covers an area of 2,200 square meters and can accommodate more than 2,000 guests. Its construction took 15 years and cost $15.5 million.