Is this right across the river from a baptism site on the Israel side? I feel more people probably go there (the Israel side) that are doing their "Christian pilgrimage" as so many sites in Israel. Pretty cool to have a church there!
Yes, it is right across the Jordan River. Also at Al-Maghtas is the site traditionally believed to be where Elijah was taken up into the heavens on a fiery chariot. There are important archaeological remains of Christian hermits there. Also, we should remember that the Israelites were led by Joshua across the Jordan River into the Promised Land somewhere in this vicinity.
King Abdullah II, Muslim, "donated the land". Friend to all nations. May his country, and the Hashemite dynasty, live long and prosper. There are few like him today.
I think our esteemed writer missed a point here. Nearby, there is a competing site of Christ's baptism on Palestinian territory, but which has been appropriated by the Government of Israel and is run by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. This is a clear poke in the eye to Israel as the Catholic Church is now directing pilgrims to the Jordanian site, not the Israeli occupied site. The Israeli government is less than pleased with the Holy See over this.
I don't think that's true. What happened is that 30 years of peace between Israel and Jordan allowed archaeologists to excavate this previously militarized zone and they found ancient ruins of 5 churches built in the same place on the Jordanian side.
Christians built and rebuilt churches in the exact same spot even after they were destroyed by floods or earthquakes.
I think that's a pretty good indication that they believed this to be the true site of Jesus' baptism. No such ruins have been found on the Israeli side.
Also, the Bible says Jesus was baptised in Bethany "beyond" the Jordan, indicating that it was on the other bank of the river. There is also a depiction of this in the Mosaic Map of Madaba. No conspiracy here.
I’m so glad to hear about this! I’ve been blessed to lead pilgrimages and attend pilgrimages in the Holy Land in seminary and since ordination to the Diaconate and to the Priesthood. The baptismal site was not a significant stop the first few trips, and I noticed that on the way to the Jordan east of Jericho everything is barbed wire, pillboxes, sand, and minefields. The Israeli government it seemed had built an area that people could go down to the water and have shade and stairs and restrooms. However, it will be very welcomed to have an overtly sacred site to experience the Baptism site and using stone and stained glass is a welcomed architectural choice. Are there any photos of the churches out there?
I struggled to find photos of the churches. I think perhaps because some are yet to be completed. There are photos of the newly consecrated Catholic church here:
Thanks for this! Had been seeing it in Starting Seven and was curious what was going on
"Jordan’s government, in turn, hopes the church will help to boost religious tourism and therefore the local economy."
And there it is. Either way, good news. Here's hoping (please pray!) Jordan continues to stay relatively peaceful....a rarity in that region.
Is this right across the river from a baptism site on the Israel side? I feel more people probably go there (the Israel side) that are doing their "Christian pilgrimage" as so many sites in Israel. Pretty cool to have a church there!
Yes, it is right across the Jordan River. Also at Al-Maghtas is the site traditionally believed to be where Elijah was taken up into the heavens on a fiery chariot. There are important archaeological remains of Christian hermits there. Also, we should remember that the Israelites were led by Joshua across the Jordan River into the Promised Land somewhere in this vicinity.
Fantastic! Great news!
King Abdullah II, Muslim, "donated the land". Friend to all nations. May his country, and the Hashemite dynasty, live long and prosper. There are few like him today.
I think our esteemed writer missed a point here. Nearby, there is a competing site of Christ's baptism on Palestinian territory, but which has been appropriated by the Government of Israel and is run by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. This is a clear poke in the eye to Israel as the Catholic Church is now directing pilgrims to the Jordanian site, not the Israeli occupied site. The Israeli government is less than pleased with the Holy See over this.
Interesting. I didn't come across that in my reading.
I don't think that's true. What happened is that 30 years of peace between Israel and Jordan allowed archaeologists to excavate this previously militarized zone and they found ancient ruins of 5 churches built in the same place on the Jordanian side.
Christians built and rebuilt churches in the exact same spot even after they were destroyed by floods or earthquakes.
I think that's a pretty good indication that they believed this to be the true site of Jesus' baptism. No such ruins have been found on the Israeli side.
Also, the Bible says Jesus was baptised in Bethany "beyond" the Jordan, indicating that it was on the other bank of the river. There is also a depiction of this in the Mosaic Map of Madaba. No conspiracy here.
So you think the Israeli government will now return the land they took from the Palestinians?
I’m so glad to hear about this! I’ve been blessed to lead pilgrimages and attend pilgrimages in the Holy Land in seminary and since ordination to the Diaconate and to the Priesthood. The baptismal site was not a significant stop the first few trips, and I noticed that on the way to the Jordan east of Jericho everything is barbed wire, pillboxes, sand, and minefields. The Israeli government it seemed had built an area that people could go down to the water and have shade and stairs and restrooms. However, it will be very welcomed to have an overtly sacred site to experience the Baptism site and using stone and stained glass is a welcomed architectural choice. Are there any photos of the churches out there?
I struggled to find photos of the churches. I think perhaps because some are yet to be completed. There are photos of the newly consecrated Catholic church here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=Latin.patriarchate.of.jerusalem&set=a.1001554665337877