Photo Credit: Yonatan Eshed / Nature and Parks Authority
Baptism site near Jericho

Israel Nature and Parks Authority on Friday announced that due to the rise in the level of the Jordan River and the formation of mud at its bottom, baptism ceremonies will not be possible at the baptism site.

Baptism site near Jericho / Yonatan Eshed / Nature and Parks Authority

The baptism site, a.k.a. Qasr el Yahud (Castle of the Jews in Arabic), is the official name of a baptism site in the Jordan River Valley in Samaria. The site and facilities are managed by the Israeli Civil Administration and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism as part of a beautiful national park.

Baptism site near Jericho / Yonatan Eshed / Nature and Parks Authority
Advertisement




Qasr el-Yahud is close to the ancient road and river ford connecting Jerusalem, via Jericho, to several biblical sites such as Madaba, Mount Nevo and the King’s Highway. It is located a little southeast of Jericho

The modern site reopened in 2011 after being closed since the 1967 Six-Day War. The restoration project was approved before the 2000 millennium celebrations but was delayed due to the Second Intifada and flooding in the region in 2003. In 2000, Pope John Paul II held a private worship at the site.


Share this article on WhatsApp:
Advertisement

SHARE
Previous articleLikud Blocks Sharon’s Son’s Primaries Run, Cites Role in Gush Katif Transfer
Next articleWe Have No Idea…
David writes news at JewishPress.com.