Jerusalem Patriarchate Questions Canonicity of New Hostel in Jordan

The Jerusalemite Orthodox Church has issued a public reminder to the Moscow Patriarchate's Russian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem that it needs the blessing of the Jerusalem Patriarchate to open a dependency church at its new pilgrimage center in Jordan as Jordan remains part of the canonical territory of the Church of Jerusalem. The Mission is currently in the process of building a hostel for pilgrims on the east banks of the Jordan River near what is believed by many to be the historic site of the Baptism of the Lord by St. John the Baptist. The Jerusalem Patriarchate's statement not withstanding, the Mission's website does not mention the building of a church as part of the overall construction at the site. More (in Greek) here.

Israel Opens Jordan River Site to Daily Visits

Israel has opened the site of the Lord's baptism in the Jordan River to daily visits for the first time since the area's occupation by Israeli forces. More here.