Yardenit

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The Yardenit Baptismal Site near Bet Yerah

Yardenit (Hebrew: ירדנית), also known as the Yardenit Baptismal Site, is a baptism site located along the Jordan River in the Galilee region of northern Israel, which is frequented by Christian pilgrims. The site is located south of the river's outlet from the Sea of Galilee, near Kibbutz Kvutzat Kinneret, which owns and manages the site.

History[]

According to Christian tradition, the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) took place in Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas), north of the Dead Sea and east of Jericho. For centuries, al-Maghtas was the most important baptism site for pilgrims, and monasteries and guest houses were established near it. Today in Jordan, Al-Maghtas shows early religious structures connected with baptism or religious baths.[1]

Since the Six-Day War, Israel has occupied the west margin of the Jordan river, including the area immediately opposite the Jordanian site, known as Qasr al-Yahud. Due to military activity and excavations in that area of the West Bank, however, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism established Yardenit in 1981 as an alternative pilgrimage site.[2] Yardenit became the first regulated baptism site in Israel. Qasr al-Yahud reopened in 2011.[3][4] In 2015, UNESCO declared Al Maghtas on the East bank a world heritage site.[5][6]

The Yardenit Baptismal Site currently averages 400,000 visitors a year and attracts members of all faiths.[7]

Gallery[]

  • Entrance plaque

  • New Testament verse about the baptism of Jesus

  • Baptism ceremony at Yardenit

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Mohammad Waheeb: The Discovery of Bethany Beyond the Jordan River (Wadi Al- Kharrar) Dirasat Human and Social Sciences, Volume 35, No.1, 2008- 115 -
  2. ^ "Jordan and Palestine dispute Jesus's baptism site after Unesco designation". 14 July 2015.
  3. ^ Stourton, Edward (2009-09-15). "Baptism battles on River Jordan". BBC. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
  4. ^ Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The Rough Guide. 1998. p. 214. ISBN 1858282489.
  5. ^ "Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas) - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2015-12-06.
  6. ^ "No evidence, but UN says Jesus baptized on Jordan's side of river, not Israel's". Times of Israel. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  7. ^ "Facilities". Yardenit. Retrieved 2012-08-19.

External links[]

Coordinates: 32°42′40″N 35°34′17″E / 32.71111°N 35.57139°E / 32.71111; 35.57139

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