Jordanian side has officially handed over the land to Georgia, where the Georgian Cultural Center will be built. This is probably a dream day for all Georgians because Georgians are returning to the Holy Land after 300 years, – the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, said in a conversation with journalists in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, near the Jordan River.
The head of Government, together with Prince Ghazi of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, took part in the official ceremony of handing over the land plot to Georgia near the Jordan River, near the place of the Savior’s baptism.
The Prime Minister unveiled a memorial stone with the signatures of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, and the Prime Minister, Irakli Gharibashvili.
Georgian Premier thanked Prince Ghaz for handing over the land to Georgia. The head of Government noted that Prince Ghaz’s personal contribution was crucial in reaching a final agreement and that Georgia greatly appreciated this.
“Today is a historic day. Today we have officially handed over the land where the Georgian Cultural Center will be built. This is probably a dream day for all Georgians because Georgians are returning to the Holy Land after 300 years. I would like to emphasize once again that King Abdullah II, Prince Ghaz, as well as the Patriarch of Jerusalem, our Patriarch, and our Government have made an invaluable contribution to this cause. We have all worked together to make this historic fact happen today, and we are all witnessing it. I once again congratulate all Georgians and all Orthodox Christians on this important event, and once again, I would like to thank the King of Jordan and all those who were involved in this work. As for the concept, we will start working actively; the Patriarchate and the National Museum will be involved in this work. I will instruct the Ministry of Culture to start working together, and the concept will be ready very soon. My wish is to start construction very soon. For this, we will do our best to reconcile the concept in a timely manner. “Of course, we will introduce this project to the public, and after that, the construction will start,” the Prime Minister said.
Georgian-owned, 4,000 square meters of land near the Savior’s baptism site is 15 to 20 meters from the Jordan River.
The Prime Minister also visited the Jordan River with the delegation members. Together with Prince Ghazi, the Head of Government visited the places where John the Baptist lived and where the Savior was baptized.
