Baptism Site - Qasr Al Yehud

Look at the pictures

1/7 

   

Baptismal site is situated on the banks of the Jordan River. It is considered as a sacred site which is identified as the place where according to Christian tradition; Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The New Testament indicates that this event was considered as the "spiritual birth" of Jesus, as for Bethlehem, it is where the “physical birth” took place. Therefore, the baptism site is a site of utmost importance where it is considered as the third holiest site in the Christian world (after the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.)

According to different stories attributed to this place. The Jews wandered in the Egyptian dessert for about after 40 years:"Stand in the Soviet pallbearers priests, the dry land in Jordan and Israel are dry, until all the sins are erased", " The Jordan River Ichraton Ned flows from only one place" (Joshua 13).

Another event that is when Elijah and Elisha rose to heaven in chariots of fire "and take her coat will play and beat the water Click here and here and move both dry land" (II Kings on page 8).

Until 1967, under Jordanian rule, Baptismal site was a lively place to many tourists and pilgrims. In 1968 - the site was closed until nowadays. The access is not allowed because it is located beyond the security fence, in a closed military area. It should be noted that the violinist group created as a replacement site on the Jordanian side.

The site is located on the west bank of the Jordan River about 10 km east of the city of Jericho, and covers an area of 329 acres owned by the Christian churches.

"Land of the Monasteries"

During the Byzantine baptismal, churches and monasteries were designed to commemorate the place of baptism. When conditions became difficult for pilgrimage, mostly under the Muslim rule, monasteries became places of accommodation and protection for pilgrims. During Eastern Church time when the pilgrimage practice was reduced, the Turks gave the pilgrims the authorization to travel through Jordan. Therefore, baptism rituals, no longer needed these monasteries, which were abandoned gradually. During the British Mandate, with the renewal terms of security in the region and the entry of powers abroad, tourism revived, therefore, new monasteries were built instead. South to the baptism along about 3 km scattered a number of churches, chapels and monasteries belonging to various communities. Unfortunately, they are now abandoned and neglected (for fear Lmicos). One of the events that affected the churches was the earthquake that took place in 1956 causing great damage. Due to that it is now unsafe and difficult to access, not only pilgrims but also for monks who had left the place gradually.