Dr Maximos Charakopoulos, secretary general of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, met with Mazen Kadi, speaker of the House of Representatives of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, during an official visit to Greece.
Speaking during the address, Dr Charakopoulos expressed deep concern over the shrinking Christian population across the Middle East as renewed tensions and military conflicts affect the wider region.
Dr Charakopoulos stated that Jordan serves not only as an anchor of stability in the Middle East but also as a custodian of the status quo governing the Holy Places. He emphasized that this role holds historic significance, particularly today as all peoples in the region, and religious minorities in particular, suffer as victims of ongoing conflict.
The head of the interparliamentary body thanked Speaker Kadi for Jordan's continued support of the organization's work. He highlighted Jordan hosting the International Secretariat of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy in Amman in autumn 2025 as premier evidence of that cooperation.
The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy is an international institution based in Athens that brings together parliamentarians to promote Christian Orthodox cultural heritage and interfaith dialogue. Amman, the capital of Jordan, has long served as a center for regional diplomatic and religious outreach.
Dr Charakopoulos also praised the initiative to establish the International Orthodox University at Al-Maghtas. The university, located at the sacred site of the Baptism of Christ, was inaugurated by King Abdullah II of Jordan alongside Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
Religious tolerance and 2030 anniversary
Responding during the meeting, Speaker Mazen Kadi emphasized the high importance Jordan places on religious freedom and peaceful coexistence. He noted that while some Jordanians remain Christian and others have become Muslim, the Holy Koran, which Muslims consider the god-given word of God, references Jesus Christ and Mary in numerous places and commands respect.
Speaker Kadi denounced attempts by some individuals to cause rifts between religions through division and discord. He stated that religion ultimately belongs to God, who is one and unique.
The Jordanian parliamentary speaker invited members of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy to participate in commemorative events organized by the Jordanian government in 2030. The planned activities will mark the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ.
Al-Maghtas, situated on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, is officially recognized as the location of the baptism of Jesus and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The meeting was also attended by Dr Hayel Ayash, a Jordanian lawmaker who serves as president of the Jordan and Greece parliamentary friendship group. Dr Ayash is also a member of the Jordanian delegation to the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy.
