Christians from every denomination meet where Jesus was baptised
Amman (AsiaNews) About 15,000 Christians from Jordan and the Holy Land came today to the shores of the Jordan River to the spot where, according to tradition, Jesus was baptised. They travelled to the holy site, which is just a few kilometres south-west of the Jordanian capital of Amman, to celebrate the Feat of the Theophany.
The high point of the event was a holy mass celebrated at 10 am by Mgr Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, with seven leaders of other Churches with a presence in the Holy Land such as the Melkite, Armenian, Maronite, Chaldean, Coptic Churches, etc. Protestant leaders from both sides of the Jordan were also present. The Greek-Orthodox and other Orthodox Churches of the Occupied Territories Churches celebrated the Feast Day on January 18
The ceremony involved blessing the waters of the Jordan and aspersing the faithful.
Patriarch Sabbah along with Mgr George El-Murr, Greek-Melkite Archbishop of Amman, prayed on river's shore before a big wooden cross half immersed in the river.
Usually, the Feast of the Theophany occurs on January 6 (Epiphany), but Fr Nabil Haddad told AsiaNews that this year the Churches decided to delay the celebration to enable university students to take part during their winter recess.
The event was organised by Fr Ghalib Badr, of the Latin Vicariate.
"Every year," Father Badr told AsiaNews, "Christians come on pilgrimage to this spot on the eastern shore of the Jordan River to commemorate the moment when John baptised the Lord Jesus".
He said that "some archaeological excavations confirmed the historical accuracy of the location. Traces of ancient Christian settlements and pilgrimages were found documenting that it was in used as a holy place."
Jesus' Baptism site is one of the few holy sites in Jordan. The Orthodox Church has just built a church nearby dedicated to John the Baptist. Other Christian communities have started building their own. (ID)
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