300 years later, Georgia returns to the Holy Land thanks to the Kingdom of Jordan

Georgia back on the Holy Land

King Abdullah II of Jordan and HRH Prince Ghazi, a first cousin of the King, decided to grant Georgia a 4,000-square-meter piece of land near the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ on the Jordan River. A Georgian cultural centre will be built there with the blessing of His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili announced the news at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where he attended the Epiphany service. The Georgian PM expressed his deepest gratitude to the King of Jordan and His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi for this momentous decision.

"It is a great honour to deliver great news about an event of historic importance to our citizens on this day. On the decision of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi, a piece of land has been granted to Georgia near the Jordan River, the place of the Savior's baptism. A Georgian cultural centre will be built there with the Patriarch's blessing. After a 300-year hiatus, Georgia is returning to the Holy Land, a joyful event to celebrate for all Georgians. This is the result of the joint efforts from secular and ecclesiastical authorities... I thank His Majesty King Abdullah, His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi, Patriarch Theophilus of Jerusalem, Archbishop Christophoros of Jordan, our Government, each employee of our embassy, our ambassador, Mr Zaza Kandelaki, everyone who spared no effort to continue the great tradition of our ancestors. I congratulate every Georgian with the possibility to establish this important centre of spiritual and cultural life in the Holy Land," the Prime Minister of Georgia stated in his address.

Zaza Kandelaki, Ambassador of Georgia to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, briefed the Prime Minister on the location and state of the granted territory. He noted that an official ceremony of handing over the land to Georgia would be held shortly.

BRAMS Institute team expresses gratitude to the Jordanian and Georgian governments for their fruitful collaboration and wishes a very Happy Holy Epiphany to fellow Georgians!