Page 23 - Discover Israel Magazine - Philippines Edition 2019

A group gathering at the site
Eran Kruzel Photos: Amir Aloni
The waters of the River Jordan
have brought wonders, stories
and miracles that we find over
and over again in the annals of
history and the rush of the river's waters.
Moses, who looked out over the Promised
Land; the People of Israel crossing the river
after wandering in the wilderness for 40
years though they could see the water; Elijah
ascended to the heavens in a chariot of fire
and horses of fire, before the amazed eyes of
his disciple. And even the baptism of Jesus
by John in the very same holy river. "At that
moment heaven was opened, and he saw
the Spirit of God descending like a dove and
alighting on him. And a voice from heaven
said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I
am well pleased’" (Matthew 3:16-17).
Elisha was the first to "mark" the waters of
the Jordan as having special properties, when
he informed Naaman, the commander of the
armies of the King of Aram, that he could heal
himself of leprosy by dipping himself in the
river (2 Kings 5:14). In Nazareth, the Jordan
took on holy significance thanks to the fact
that Jesus was baptized in its waters.
The New Testament tells us that John the
Baptist was a Jewish monk whose clothes
were made of camel hair and who wore
a leather belt about his loins, who set out
into the desert and preached that people
should be baptized to show repentance and
atone for their sins. Many from Jerusalem
and Judea went to him on the banks of the
Jordan River, and he baptized them, as they
confessed their sins. In the 20th century, the
Jordan River fell to the wayside, and only
memories remained of its glorious past: from
the stories in the Old and New Testaments,
to the stories of travelers who were not afraid the visit of the Holy Father Pope John Paul
to visit the barren area between the Sea of
Galilee and the Dead Sea. They drew pictures
of a rushing river in their writings, teaming
with lush vegetation and wild animals.
Where was Jesus baptized?
The books of the apostles offer several
answers: according to the writings, the
baptismal site is located in Judea, the Judean
Desert or beyond the Jordan, at a place called
Bethany (or also Bethabara), a landmark
dividing the territories of the tribes of Judah a spiritual journey, to be baptized in the same
and Benjamin, near the city of Jericho and
the Jordan River. In the fourth century, it
was Helena, mother of the Roman emperor
Constantine, who identified the holy sites and
ordered a church to be built at the site of the all over the world to accompany them to the
baptism on the banks of the Jordan River,
southeast of Jericho, near today's baptismal
site. Thanks to her, travelers in the Byzantine in the Jordan on this holy occasion.
period could mark the baptismal site precisely.
The baptismal site Qasr al-Yahuda is five
kilometers east of Jericho, north of the
Dead Sea. On banks of the Jordan are
several monasteries and prayer chapels that
have been abandoned. You can also find
representatives of various denominations
and orders: Franciscans, Copts, Ethiopians,
Syrians, Romans and, of course, also Greek
Orthodox, who own the largest monastery
on the shores of the Jordan River. The
monastery, built during the Byzantine period,
is named after John the Baptist and is also
known by the name that symbolizes the
entire region – Qasr al-Yahud ("Castle of the
Jews" in Arabic). This is believed to be the
spot where the People of Israel crossed the
Jordan River.
After being closed to visitors for many years,
the Israel Nature and Parks Authority worked
very hard to open the site and prepare it for
tourists before the year 2000, and in honor of
II. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come
all year long, from around the entire world
and from all Christian denominations. Tens
of thousands come around the holidays of
Epiphany and Easter. And on the different
days on which they are celebrated in various
Christian denominations. The best attended
and most impressive event is during the
pilgrimage made by the Eastern Churches
from January 17-19. Tens of thousands
of believers gather at the baptismal site.
Christians of all denominations in traditional
and special garb come to the site as part of
place as someone so holy. The peak is during
the holy ceremonies held by the patriarchs
of the different Christian denominations, and
tens of thousands of pilgrims who come from
Jordan River, to watch the holy ceremony and
the letting free of the dove, and to be baptized
The site is operated by the Israel Nature and
Parks Authority in cooperation with the Civil
Administration and is open seven days a week.
We invite you to visit the site, to hear, see and
feel.
Directions: The site is located about 10 km
(six miles) to the north of the Dead Sea.
Coming from Highway 90 (Jericho Bypass),
turn east following the signs for approximately
1.5 km (one mile) until you reach the military
security barrier.
No reservations are required.
Recommended season: All year
What else?
Restrooms, prayer chapel, seating with
a view of the river, tourist information
center and a souvenir shop.
Opening hours: Last entrance to the site
is one hour before closing.
Summer
Sunday-Thursday 8am - 4pm.
Fridays and holiday eves 8am - 4pm.
Winter
Sunday-Thursday 8am - 4pm.
Fridays and holiday eves 8am - 3pm.
Tel: 02-6504844
To book guided tours for groups:
Judean Desert and Dead Sea Education
Center
Tel: 02-6541255
Email: mh.deadsea@npa.org.il
Fax: 02-6504853
Entrance fee: Free of charge.
Accessibility: View of the Jordan River,
no access to the river bank