From the sacred texts of the New Testament it is known that the baptism of Jesus Christ took place in the Jordan River in Jerusalem. The Holy Prophet John the Baptist performed baptism over the Savior Himself.

John's baptism was a symbol of repentance and faith in the One true God. Every person entering the waters of the Jordan first confessed his sins, and only then came out of the water. Christ, having reached the age of thirty, also approached John. However, the Savior himself did not need to confess his faith in God (Himself) and repent of his sins, because the difference between Christ and other people is understood in the sense of the absence of sins in Jesus. It turns out that the baptism of Christ can be called formal. It was a kind of symbol of the fact that Christ does not reject the Jews about God. Jesus is, for the most part, for the rest.

John the Baptist did not want Christ, because he understood that he himself needed to be baptized by the Savior. However, Jesus commanded John to perform this ritual.

The Gospel tells us that Christ immediately came out of the water because there was no sin in him (there was nothing to confess). At the same time, the Holy Spirit descended on Christ in the form of a dove. and from heaven the voice of God the Father was heard, affirming that Jesus is His beloved Son, in whom is all the Father’s good pleasure. Only Christ came out to preach publicly.

The event of the baptism of Jesus Christ is expressed in Orthodoxy, also called the Epiphany. Celebrations in honor of this event take place in all Orthodox churches on January 19 (new style). There is a tradition of blessing water in churches on Epiphany, as well as on the day of the holiday itself.

Video on the topic

In the Orthodox Church there are twelve special days related to the great twelve holidays. These celebrations represent the Church’s memory of historical events that have special spiritual significance for people. On January 19, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ with special splendor.

The historical event of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan by the holy prophet John the Baptist is described in detail in the three Gospels: in particular, in the gospel of Mark, Luke and Matthew. In addition, the Apostle John the Theologian in his Gospel also mentions this fact, but indirectly - in the form of the testimony of John the Baptist himself about the event that occurred.

The Gospel of Luke tells that Christ received Old Testament baptism at the age of 30 in the Jordan River. This age is not accidental, because in ancient Israel the thirtieth birthday marked the formation of a man, in addition, it was precisely after reaching these years that a person could begin preaching.

The baptism of Jesus Christ took place, according to the gospel narrative, in Bethara (approximately ten km from the confluence of the Jordan into the Dead Sea). Saint John, foreseeing in spirit all the greatness of God incarnate, initially did not want to baptize the Savior, asking for baptism from the latter. However, Christ insisted on his baptism, because this was precisely how it was necessary to fulfill “all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

It is worth noting that Old Testament baptism was a testimony of faith in the true God, as well as a baptism of repentance, because people, entering the Jordan, confessed their sins. In these senses, there was no need for Christ to be baptized, because he was sinless, and there was no need to profess faith in God (himself as one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity). However, Christ does this for the people, so that the Jews do not see him as an apostate from their faith. The Holy Fathers also see a sacred meaning in the baptism of Christ. Thus, it is said that Christ washed away the sins of all mankind in the Jordan River, and the Old Testament baptism itself, performed by Christ, was a prototype of the modern sacrament of baptism.

trees resembling olive trees in size and appearance, but not with leaves, but with soft needles similar to fir. They told me later that these were tamarind thickets.

There was an atmosphere of participation in the holy mysteries of antiquity. Here, for the first time in these parts, I heard birds singing - large, black birds the size of a thrush, and even similar to them. Here I finally got it turned on mobile connection(for three days in a row I couldn’t send a text message to my family so they wouldn’t worry about me).

By the way, earlier the place of Christ’s baptism was considered to be Eizaria on the bank of the river on the Israeli side. The photo below clearly shows the Israeli bank of the Jordan River (the river is narrow)

However archaeological finds confirmed that it was here that Jesus crossed the Jordan River, where he was baptized.

In writings written by pilgrims to the Holy Places during the heyday Byzantine Empire, a Greek column with a cross on top, marking the place of baptism and erected during early Christianity, was often mentioned.

In the 5th century, the Jordan slightly changed its course as it flowed into the Dead Sea.
International group Biblical archaeologists stated that she was able to discover exactly the place on the Jordan River where John the Baptist performed the ritual over Jesus Christ. Scientists believe that the base of that same column was discovered. It was discovered 40 meters east of the Jordan bank, which is quite consistent with the conclusions of scientists.
It was here that archaeologists found the remains of 3 churches named in honor of John the Baptist, and nearby, on the banks of the old riverbed of the Jordan, precisely at the site of the baptism of Jesus, the remains of a 5-6 century church built by Emperor Anastasius. Here is THAT place:

This place is filled with the deepest spiritual meaning for religious pilgrims who come here from all over the world. People from all over the world come here to be baptized.

Holding our breath, we descended to the river bed, passing a stone bowl with blessed water from the Jordan (they washed their faces with this water), they went down to the wooden platforms, where a place for baptism is now equipped.

Excitedly I stepped ankle-deep into the waters of this sacred river. And now I remember that despite a very hot day, the water in the river was so cold that my legs even cramped.

Having climbed onto the bridge, I heard a signal from my mobile phone - the text message to my mother had finally gone through! Then my mother said that she, of course, was worried during those three days that we were in Jordan; we had no mobile connection. And this SMS really was a small long-awaited miracle.
Well, for skeptics, I can add that literally 10 meters from us, across the river, the Israeli border checkpoint was already clearly visible - perhaps their mobile communications were working
better?

A new one was built on the banks of the Jordan Orthodox Church, on the days of great Christian holidays he holds services there Orthodox Patriarch.

Here you can buy crosses and bless them in the most holy water.

Those who wish to undergo the rite of Baptism in this holy place can do so without special problems, by contacting the Center by telephone (00 962 777 607036 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 00 962 777 607036 end_of_the_skype_highlighting g) or by email.

Jordan River (Israel) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.

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One of the most famous rivers on the planet, the Jordan River is the natural border between Israel and Jordan and a popular place of pilgrimage for Christians rushing to undergo the symbolic rite of baptism in the very place where Jesus Christ once received him from John the Baptist. Jordan is repeatedly mentioned not only in the New, but also in Old Testament as a place where numerous miracles were performed: the prophets crossed it on dry land, the waters of this river parted before Joshua, who led the Israelites with the Ark of the Covenant, marking the end of their forty years of wanderings in the desert. Today you can see the Jordan and dive into its holy waters from both the Israeli and Jordanian shores.

A little history and geography

The Jordan River stretches 252 km from the foot of Mount Hermon, through Lake Kinneret, flowing into the Dead Sea. This natural border between the modern states of Israel and Jordan once separated the territory of the Promised Land, where, according to the promises of the Almighty, Joshua led the Jews who wandered for 40 years in the desert. Then the waters of the Jordan parted before the procession, and this is far from the only miracle of the river described in religious texts. The prophets Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan on dry land, and numerous miracles of healing were performed here. belief healing power its waters were widely used during the Byzantine period.

However main reason The pilgrimage of Christians to the Jordan River is hidden in the New Testament. According to the Bible, in the waters of the Jordan, Christ was baptized by John the Baptist, after which the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended to earth in the form of a dove, testifying to the messianic mission of the Savior.

Baptism in the Jordan River

What to see

Like the Dead Sea, the Jordan River can be visited by tourists in both Israel and Jordan. The Israeli side of the Jordan is more comfortable and convenient for visiting, but also more commercialized - this is especially felt at the site of the baptism of Christ. The Jordanian is practically untouched by man, wild and pristine, but also less comfortable.

The most popular place to touch the waters of the Jordan from Israel is the Yardenit tourist complex, located at the river’s exit from Lake Kinneret, a few kilometers from Tiberias. More than 400 thousand tourists and pilgrims visit Yardenit every year, most of them to receive symbolic baptism. Yardenit does not correspond to the exact site of Christ's baptism, but was chosen by Israeli authorities as a symbolic landmark. In a well-equipped bathhouse with a smooth descent into the water, every day (and not for free, for 10 or 25 USD, depending on the set of services), you can undergo the ritual of triple immersion in the Jordan, and in the store you can purchase consecrated objects of Orthodox worship. Prices on the page are as of July 2018.

From the Jordanian side, the symbolic place of Christ's baptism looks simple and utilitarian: a wooden platform with three steps along which pilgrims descend into the water. There is no charge for diving, but there are no amenities or services here either.

When you travel to holy places, be it Christian shrines, Muslim shrines or the holy places of the Tumba-Yumba tribe, I personally have mixed feelings. Especially when you walk on Earth, which has more history than you can imagine. I don’t want to argue, prove, seek confirmation or refutation of where Christ was actually baptized. Not about that now. In Jordan, on the Jordan River, there is a place where five Christian churches. When another church was destroyed by another earthquake, a new one was built in its place. All five churches did not have altars, as required by tradition. Only exit to the stairs leading to the Jordan River. Instead of an altar there is something else Holy place. Place of the baptism of Jesus Christ.

To the east of the Jordan River lies the ancient Moabite Plains.

Discovered by archaeologists in the late 1990s, the baptism site in Wadi Harar on the Jordanian side underwent significant reconstruction in 2002. There were pedestrian paths, two restaurants, a VIP lounge and a tourist center.

To get to the river, you need to walk along paths fenced with tamarind thickets.

Red earth, cracked in places by the sun.

To get to the river bank, you need to go through such a gate.

By the way, earlier the place of Christ’s baptism was considered to be Eizaria on the bank of the river on the Israeli side. This is what the Israeli bank of the Jordan River looks like.

However, archaeological finds have confirmed that it was here that Jesus crossed the Jordan River, where he was baptized.

Writings written by pilgrims to the Holy Places during the heyday of the Byzantine Empire often mentioned a Greek column with a cross on its top, marking the place of baptism and erected during early Christianity. In the 5th century, the Jordan slightly changed its course as it flowed into the Dead Sea. An international group of biblical archaeologists announced that they were able to discover the exact place on the Jordan River where John the Baptist performed the ritual over Jesus Christ. Scientists believe that the base of that same column was discovered. It was discovered 40 meters east of the Jordan bank, which is quite consistent with the conclusions of scientists. It was here that archaeologists found the remains of 3 churches named in honor of John the Baptist, and nearby, on the banks of the old riverbed of the Jordan, precisely at the site of the baptism of Jesus, the remains of a 5-6 century church built by Emperor Anastasius.

Remains of a mosaic on the site of an old temple A new Orthodox church was built on the banks of the Jordan; on the days of great Christian holidays, the Orthodox patriarch holds services in it.

One of the most popular winter tours, especially in the second half of January, are trips to the Jordan River. This natural stream is considered a natural border between the two Middle Eastern countries. Jordan and Israel are taking advantage of the opportunity to welcome tourists and pious pilgrims, thus capitalizing on their historical and religious attractions. In this article we will look at how to get there, what you must see and visit, as well as which city is located on the Jordan River.

Location

This stream is mentioned in almost all the holy books of Judaism and Christianity. Here, according to legends, numerous miracles took place. The prophets crossed the river without any ford, as if on dry land. As the Jewish commander Joshua walked with the Israelite army and the Ark of the Covenant, the waters parted to allow them through. But most of all this place is known because, as the Gospels say, Christ was baptized here. Therefore, it is hardly possible to find a person who would not know where the Jordan River is. But if we are to be geographically precise, this stream flows from Mount Hermon (the so-called Golan Heights), bypassing Lake Kinneret (the former Sea of ​​Tiberias). It begins at the confluence of three rivers - Khatsbani, Baniasi and Dan. Then, after traveling more than two hundred and fifty kilometers from north to south, it flows into the Dead Sea.

Jordan River. Place of baptism of Jesus Christ

This stream is best known for the fact that the so-called Epiphany took place here. This is what the three synoptic Gospels say, as well as the Scripture from St. John about where exactly the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan, when he received the rite from the hands of John the Baptist. True, the exact location of this place is still unknown. There are even disagreements on this matter. Thus, many Greek manuscripts contain references to the fact that such a place could be the city of Bethavara on the Jordan River. There are other names for this settlement. It is also called Bethany Transjordan. Sources also differ on where exactly this city was located. For example, Origen claims that its location is the west bank of the Jordan River. Other Bible translations state that this city was located beyond the stream.

Other versions

There is an old map from the sixth century called Madaba, which shows the place of Christ's baptism. On it it is marked opposite the city of Jericho. That is, this is actually the western bank of the Jordan River. Some say that the author of the map simply mixed up the cardinal directions. After all, for quite a long time the eastern shore was considered the traditional place of Christ’s baptism. Before the Arab conquest, pilgrims flocked to the city of Jericho on the Jordan River, where, according to travelers of the time, there stood a marble column with an iron cross. Then, after Palestine and the eastern bank became difficult to access, the west of the river began to be considered the place of baptism. Numerous temples were built there. And after subsequent wars, all these churches were destroyed and the exact place of baptism was lost. There are suggestions that the river changed its course many times. Therefore, the historical place of baptism can be located on land.

Modern pilgrimage

Since the Renaissance, it is generally accepted that Christ entered the water ten kilometers from the city of Jericho on the Jordan River. But it is still unclear from which bank exactly. Therefore, both countries - Israel and Jordan - believe that this is the most important religious history the event took place on their territory. On the western bank of the river this place is called Qasr al-Yahud. It is more comfortable, crowds of people go there, but there is immeasurably more trade and commerce there. The Jordanian side is proud of a place called Wadi al-Harar. It is wilder, more pristine, but not too touristy and not very comfortable to visit. But perhaps it is more authentic. After all, it was there that archaeological excavations were carried out and the foundation of a marble column, which was mentioned in ancient sources, was found.

Yardenit

This is the most popular and famous place, for which the modern Jordan River is famous. Israel has built a very popular tourist complex here. It is located near Lake Kinether, near the city of Tiberias. Its location does not even correspond to the place of baptism that tradition places near Qasr al-Yahuda. However, the Israeli authorities chose it as a kind of symbolic landmark. There is a well-equipped swimming pool where services are provided for triple immersion in the water of the Jordan. Such a symbolic baptism costs from ten to twenty-five American dollars. There is a shop nearby where you can buy various items, consecrated in an Orthodox church. Up to four hundred thousand pilgrims come here every year precisely to receive this kind of baptism. The most popular date is the nineteenth of January, when the rite of blessing of water is performed by the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Wadi al-Harar

This place is located opposite Qasr al-Yahuda. There, on the territory of Jordan, it was built Orthodox church John the Baptist. Here you can find a small reservoir called Al-Makhtas, which has already lost contact with its bed, and this is no longer the Jordan River. The site of the baptism of Jesus Christ is nevertheless surrounded by the remains of Byzantine buildings dating back to the sixth century, as well as many ancient church foundations. Since two thousand and fifteen, Al-Makhtas has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and pilgrims also flock here. True, on this side everything is simpler, there are no fancy pools, but just a wooden platform with steps. But immersion in water is free.

Jericho

This interesting city on the Jordan River is worth a visit for those going on pilgrimages to holy places. After all, this is the oldest human settlement known to historians. It is already more than ten thousand years old. It is located in territory where the Palestinian Authority operates, fifty kilometers from Jerusalem. True, due to the Arab-Israeli conflict, organized groups no longer come here, but individual tourists can easily get there by local minibuses and then by taxi. Here, on the Tells es-Sultan hill, you can see the ruins of a city that is at least seven thousand years old. In Old Jericho there is a mosaic floor of one of the most ancient synagogues in Israel, and three kilometers from there is the palace of one of the first Arab caliphs seventh century. Not far from the city there is a famous mountain where, according to legend, the devil took Jesus Christ and tempted him, and on its top there is a Greek Orthodox monastery.

Jordan Tours

IN Lately Such trips have become very popular, and many companies organize them. After all, the Jordan Valley itself is very beautiful. Regardless political conflict in the Middle East and disputes over which country the site of the Baptism of the Lord belongs to, excursions along this river are offered even to families with children, especially in the summer and autumn time of the year. Kayaking or even rafting downstream on inflatable rafts through very picturesque places, among waterfalls, grottoes and quiet creeks where you can swim and swim, is not all that local tourist clubs offer travelers. You can ride along the river on bicycles or jeeps, or walk. There are many comfortable places for recreation and picnics everywhere.