The air is silent, the buff-colored soil punctured by groves of diffident tamarisk trees. The road passes bleak, abandoned buildings, and crosses crown gateways. A lion of Judah, symbol of the Ethiopian church, roars silently on a blue-tiled background, a lone lord of all he surveys. That is the scene here at the Jordan River near Jericho on an ordinary day, in an ordinary month.
But things change on Epiphany, the day of Jesus’ baptism, when “heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him” (Matthew 3:16). Celebrated in January, the holy day transforms the area as thousands of pilgrims flock to what is one of the most sacred and least visited places in Israel.
This site is best known by the Arabic name Qasr al Yahud. Some say this means “castle of the Jews.” Others note that al Yahud does mean “the Jews,” but the first word comes from an Arabic word meaning “break.” Thus, this is none other than the place where the Jews “broke” the waters – that is, where Joshua led them across the Jordan. Qasr al Yahud is also the name given to the area’s major landmark, the fifth-century Monastery of St. John.
Many traditions come together here. That is typical in the Holy Land, going back to times when pilgrims could not travel freely and often stayed put at sites they were able to reach there. Frequently from the safety and coolness of a cave, they read and pondered all the biblical tales that took place in the vicinity. In addition to the baptism of Jesus by John and the crossing of the Jordan by Joshua, tradition also holds that this site is where ravens fed Elijah and he later ascended into heaven. Certainly, it is yet another amazing place to see the Bible come alive before your very eyes!
I hope that you are able to experience this wonderful site for yourself very soon. As you begin planning your life-changing adventure, please know that we are here to serve you in whatever way we can. Please do not hesitate to contact our office for assistance by calling toll-free at 1.888.77.ISRAEL – or visit us online at www.goisrael.com.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Shalom,
Arie Sommer, Consul
Tourism Commissioner
North & South America
Israel Ministry of Tourism
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