DAY 16 - EASTER Sunday at the River Jordan

EASTER 2017 - a Dream Come True!

Look close and you'll see the River Jordan - REALLY?  I believe it's been shrinking!

This is a shelter over the remains of a church at Jesus' Baptism Site - so exciting!

A scholar from Jerusalem discovered the Madaba Map [in Madaba present day Jordan], in 1897. This map was a 6^th century Mosaic depicting a map of the Middle East in the 6^th Century. The discovery and subsequent analysis of the map led to a renewed interest about the exact location of the Baptism Site. Pilgrims started to return to the area east of the River Jordan hoping to find clues to the location of the site.


Excavations at Bethany Beyond the Jordan began only 20 years ago, in 1996.

The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, the act that launched Jesus’ public ministry, most likely took place on the Jordanian side of the Jordan River, in a riverbed called the Wadi Al-Kharrar.

On one site near the river Jordan, mosaic remains were found; then marble remains; then more remains. In total, the remains of five different churches, built at separate times, were found. Why were churches built on this spot in particular on five different occasions? 

Here the remains of more than 20 Christian sites have been discovered, including several churches, a prayer hall, baptismal pools and a sophisticated water system. These date back to the Roman and Byzantine periods.

We'll never forget this special Easter Sunday, will we, cousin John?

A mural depicting the Pope's visit to this area

Piers for arches on which one of the churches of Bethany Beyond Jordan was built

World War I, the fall of the Ottoman Empire, World War II, and then the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict with wars in 1948, 1967 and 1973 made the Baptism Site a no-go area for most of the century.

One of the churches appears to have been built around a natural cave containing fresh spring water — possibly the cave that Byzantine pilgrims called “the cave of John the Baptist”.

Greek Orthodox Church of St John the Baptist at Bethany Beyond the Jordan 

Bethabara is the name used by some versions of the New Testament for the site "beyond the Jordan" where John the Baptist preached and performed baptisms.

At the head of the Wadi Kharrar, springs emerge from the barren landscape to create a small oasis of tamarisk and palm trees, reeds, grasses and shrubbery. From here the Wadi Kharrar stream flows eastward to the Jordan River, its 2-kilometre route flanked by thick vegetation and identified by the murmur of running water.

The fresh water of the Wadi Kharrar stream would have been more suitable for baptisms than the murkier Jordan River, which in John the Baptist’s time was also subject to heavy seasonal flooding.

The area was guarded by the military.  They wanted to make sure we didn't swim across the River Jordan to the other side cause that area was Israel.  We were not allowed to go unless it was over the designated border crossings.

The Baptism Site was a militarized zone, full of mines when Jordan and Israel signed their peace treaty in 1994. The treaty allowed for the de-mining of the area.

We witnessed many people getting baptized.  There were shouts of joy after they were immersed in the waters.  It was a pretty exciting sight to see!....especially on Easter Sunday!

Back to our hotel and relaxation!  Such gorgeous flowers!

The Marriott Hotel has gone all out here - amazing food, great service, beautiful pools - what a wonderful way to end our amazing adventures in the Holy Land!

We were treated to a special Easter buffet and the food was to die for!  Enjoy the following photos!  I took lots of pictures of the array of sweets!

A giant chocolate Easter egg was our centerpiece going into the dining room.

I'll take one of each, please!  Actually, the buffet was so good that I had no room for dessert.  I asked if I could take some to go.  HA!  They made me up a box with lots of treats and brought it to my room.

Unfortunately, I gave the box to John to carry and forgot to get it back from him - I hope he enjoyed them!

Now to pack up and get a little sleep before leaving at 3 am for a LONG trip home!

The past three weeks have been amazing!  To walk on hallowed ground in the Holy Land was a dream come true!~  Thanks Cousin Lloyd and Cousin John.  It was wonderful to room with you, Joanne.  You are an inspiration!