Page 19 - Holyland Magazine - Catholic Edition 2015
P. 19
After praying in the Monastery of St. John the
Baptist, a procession led by the Greek Orthodox
answers: according to the writings, the Patriarch along with other respected clerics and a
baptismal site is located in Judea, the youth orchestra walk to the Jordan River.
Judean Desert or beyond the Jordan, at a
place called Bethany (or also Bethabara),
a landmark dividing the territories of the
tribes of Judah 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 identiied the holy sites and ordered
a church to be built at the site of the
baptism on the banks of the Jordan
River, southeast of Jericho, near today’s
baptismal site. Thanks to her, travelers
in the Byzantine period could mark the
baptismal site precisely.
After a short prayer service, the group walks The baptismal site, Qasr al-Yahud, is ive The site is operated by the Israel Nature and
down to the river bank for a ceremony in
Parks Authority in cooperation with the Civil
which they release a white dove and immerse kilometers east of Jericho, north of the
Administration and is open seven days a
themselves in the Jordan River. Dead Sea. On banks of the Jordan are
several monasteries and prayer chapels that week.
have been abandoned. You can also ind We invite you to visit the site... To hear, see
representatives of various denominations
and feel.
and orders: Franciscans, Copts, Ethiopians,
Syrians, Romans and, of course, also Greek Directions: The site is located about 10 km (6
Orthodox, who own the largest monastery miles) to the north of the Dead Sea. Coming
from Highway 90 (Jericho Bypass), turn east
on the shores of the Jordan River. The
monastery, built during the Byzantine period, following the signs for approximately 1.5 km
is named after John the Baptist and is also (1 mile) until you reach the military security
known by the name that symbolizes the
barrier.
entire region – Qasr al-Yahud (“Castle of the No reservations are required.
Jews” in Arabic). This is believed to be the Recommended season: All year
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 What else?
very hard to open the site and prepare it for Restrooms, prayer chapel, seating with
tourists before the year 2000, and in honor of
the visit of the Holy Father Pope John Paul a view of the river, tourist information
center (souvenir shop).
II. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come
all year long, from around the entire world Opening hours: Last entrance to the
and from all Christian denominations. Tens site is one hour before closing.
of thousands come around the holidays of
Epiphany and Easter. And on the diferent Summer
days on which they are celebrated in various Sunday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Christian denominations. The best attended Fridays and holiday eves 8:00 a.m. -
and most impressive event is during the 4:00 p.m.
pilgrimage made by the Eastern Churches Winter
from January 17-19. Tens of thousands Sunday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
of believers gather at the baptismal site. Fridays and holiday eves 8:00 a.m. -
Christians of all denominations in traditional 3:00 p.m.
and special garb come to the site as part of
a spiritual journey, to be baptized in the same Tel: 02-6504844
place as someone so holy. The peak is during To book guided tours for groups:
the holy ceremonies held by the patriarchs Judean Desert and Dead Sea Education
of the diferent Christian denominations, and Center 02-6541255
tens of thousands of pilgrims who come from mh.deadsea@npa.org.il
all over the world to accompany them to the Fax: 02-6504853
Jordan River, to watch the holy ceremony and Entrance fee: Free of charge.
the letting free of the dove, and to be baptized Accessibility: View of the Jordan River,
in the Jordan on this holy occasion. no access to the river bank
19
Baptist, a procession led by the Greek Orthodox
answers: according to the writings, the Patriarch along with other respected clerics and a
baptismal site is located in Judea, the youth orchestra walk to the Jordan River.
Judean Desert or beyond the Jordan, at a
place called Bethany (or also Bethabara),
a landmark dividing the territories of the
tribes of Judah 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 identiied the holy sites and ordered
a church to be built at the site of the
baptism on the banks of the Jordan
River, southeast of Jericho, near today’s
baptismal site. Thanks to her, travelers
in the Byzantine period could mark the
baptismal site precisely.
After a short prayer service, the group walks The baptismal site, Qasr al-Yahud, is ive The site is operated by the Israel Nature and
down to the river bank for a ceremony in
Parks Authority in cooperation with the Civil
which they release a white dove and immerse kilometers east of Jericho, north of the
Administration and is open seven days a
themselves in the Jordan River. Dead Sea. On banks of the Jordan are
several monasteries and prayer chapels that week.
have been abandoned. You can also ind We invite you to visit the site... To hear, see
representatives of various denominations
and feel.
and orders: Franciscans, Copts, Ethiopians,
Syrians, Romans and, of course, also Greek Directions: The site is located about 10 km (6
Orthodox, who own the largest monastery miles) to the north of the Dead Sea. Coming
from Highway 90 (Jericho Bypass), turn east
on the shores of the Jordan River. The
monastery, built during the Byzantine period, following the signs for approximately 1.5 km
is named after John the Baptist and is also (1 mile) until you reach the military security
known by the name that symbolizes the
barrier.
entire region – Qasr al-Yahud (“Castle of the No reservations are required.
Jews” in Arabic). This is believed to be the Recommended season: All year
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 What else?
very hard to open the site and prepare it for Restrooms, prayer chapel, seating with
tourists before the year 2000, and in honor of
the visit of the Holy Father Pope John Paul a view of the river, tourist information
center (souvenir shop).
II. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come
all year long, from around the entire world Opening hours: Last entrance to the
and from all Christian denominations. Tens site is one hour before closing.
of thousands come around the holidays of
Epiphany and Easter. And on the diferent Summer
days on which they are celebrated in various Sunday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Christian denominations. The best attended Fridays and holiday eves 8:00 a.m. -
and most impressive event is during the 4:00 p.m.
pilgrimage made by the Eastern Churches Winter
from January 17-19. Tens of thousands Sunday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
of believers gather at the baptismal site. Fridays and holiday eves 8:00 a.m. -
Christians of all denominations in traditional 3:00 p.m.
and special garb come to the site as part of
a spiritual journey, to be baptized in the same Tel: 02-6504844
place as someone so holy. The peak is during To book guided tours for groups:
the holy ceremonies held by the patriarchs Judean Desert and Dead Sea Education
of the diferent Christian denominations, and Center 02-6541255
tens of thousands of pilgrims who come from mh.deadsea@npa.org.il
all over the world to accompany them to the Fax: 02-6504853
Jordan River, to watch the holy ceremony and Entrance fee: Free of charge.
the letting free of the dove, and to be baptized Accessibility: View of the Jordan River,
in the Jordan on this holy occasion. no access to the river bank
19
