Jordan Times
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Christians to celebrate
Epiphany at Baptism Site
Thousands of Christian pilgrims will celebrate Epiphany at Baptism site on
Friday, according to a statement released by the Jordan Tourism Board. The
religious ceremonies will be led by Greek Catholic Bishop Yasser Ayyash with the
participation of Bishop Salim Sayegh of the Latin Patriarchate for Jordan. The
ceremonies will also be attended by bishops and clergymen of other Christian
denominations celebrating this occasion according to the Gregorian calendar, in
addition to officials and members of the diplomatic corps, the statement said.
The pilgrimage has become an annual tradition, with Christians from Jordan and
around the world gathering at the site, which was discovered in 1988 and
renovated to provide visitors with easy and secure access. Another ceremony will
be held on January 18 by Christian faiths following the Eastern calendar, and
led by Greek Orthodox Bishop Benedictus with the participation of Coptic and
Armenian bishops. Around 15,000 pilgrims are expected to attend the ceremonies.