Christine Moore
Tel: 469-688-5683
Email: christine@seejordan.org 

Thousands to 'Gather at the River' for Epiphany Celebrations

Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan – Biblical birthplace of Christianity – will be setting for ceremonies honoring Jesus’ baptism; Orthodox, Protestants and Catholics to celebrate together.

BETHANY-BEYOND-THE-JORDAN (Jan. 11, 2007) – On the banks of the Jordan River in this peaceful settlement – one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the last century, identified as the biblical location where John the Baptist lived, preached and baptized – several thousand Christian faithful will gather on Friday, Jan. 12 to commemorate the baptism of Jesus.

Ceremonies have only been possible here within the last decade, when land mines were cleared and excavations began following the peace treaty with neighboring Israel in 1994. Now, local followers join with pilgrims from around the world to continue the tradition of old to gather at the holy spot where Jesus was revealed as the Light of the World.

Participating Church Officials in the Jan. 12 ceremony will include His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; Latin Bishop of Amman Salim Sayegh; Roman Catholic Bishop George Murr; and Armenian Orthodox Bishop Vahan Toblian. The celebration will bring together members of the Roman Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Anglican, Evangelical, Lutheran, Chaldean, Maronite, and Copt Churches.

Epiphany – from the Greek “epiphaneia” for “to make known” or “manifestation” – is a season of light on the Christian calendar. Most Orthodox use the Julian rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar, so dates for Christmas and Epiphany, which falls 12 days after the nativity and is the climax of the Christmas season, vary according to traditions. In western Christian tradition, Jan. 6 is celebrated as Epiphany. Also known as Three Kings’ Day in Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is an occasion of feasting, which sometimes includes the baking of a special King’s Cake.

While some Greek Orthodox churches still observe the Epiphany celebration as the Nativity of Jesus, the majority of Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches focus on the visit of the Magi and Jesus’ baptism. The Feast of the Epiphany was established as a solemn feast in the Eastern Church in the middle of the fourth century, as proclaimed in the Apostolic Constitutions: “Let the Epiphany, in which the Lord manifested to us His own divinity, be to you the most honored festival and let it be celebrated on the sixth day of January.” (cf Apostolic Constitutions V, 13) Traditionally, celebrations have included a vigil; a Solemn Blessing of the Water; and baptism of catechumens – or converts being instructed in the faith – on the eve of the Epiphany. Early fathers of the Church referred to this as the Mystery of the Illumination or Enlightenment, thus the Epiphany also became known as the Feast of the Lights, or the Day of Illumination. The Feast is also known in the East as Theophany, Greek for “God’s appearance,” and the early church marked this feast by baptizing catechumens in great numbers.

Jesus’ baptism in the waters of the Jordan marked the first recorded manifestation of the Trinity – the central tenet of the Christian faith – hence Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan has been called the birthplace of Christianity. Located less than an hours drive from Amman and minutes from the Dead Sea, the baptism site has become a must-see for visitors to the Holy Land. The Baptism Site Commission has worked closely with Church officials to ensure the protection and integrity of this sacred place, while opening it up to pilgrims from around the world.

Epiphany Celebrations News Release

JAN. 12 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. local time and end at approximately noon
• His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will preside
• Additional Blessings and Prayers will follow
• Pilgrims will convene at 8 a.m. at Tel–al-Kharrar (or Tel Mar Elias) and be taken by bus to the Jordan River. (Tel-al-Kharrar is known traditionally as the spot where Elijah the Prophet ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire. Elijah and John the Baptist, the patron saint of Jordan, were closely connected to the area of Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan.)

JAN. 12 MEDIA GUIDELINES:

• Media must arrive by 8:30 a.m. to the parking area of the Baptism Site.
• They will be met by park officials and taken by bus to the ceremony location. Please ask for Mr. Ziad Asfour if you have any questions or encounter any problems.
• Press must present official credentials from Jordan Information Center, or other internationally recognized press credentials.
• Flash photography is acceptable.
• Special area set aside for media.
• His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will be available for interviews.
• Dia Madani, director of the Baptism Site Commission, will be available for interviews following a 12:30 p.m. press conference.
• Local sponsor of the ceremonies: Levant Heritage Tourism Investment, Ltd.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Jan. 18: A special prayer ceremony will be held at the site at the Church of St. John the Baptist, located mere steps from the banks of the Jordan River.
• Jan. 19: The Roman Orthodox Church is expected to celebrate Theophany at the site.
• Jan. 23: The Latin patriarchate will celebrate at the site.

For more information on Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, visit www.baptismsite.com
For additional information, visit www.seejordan.org or www.visitjordan.com


North American media unable to send local affiliates can obtain interviews and/or transcripts of the Jan. 12 ceremony and following press conference.

North American Media Contact:
Christine Moore, Jordan Tourism Board, N.A.
Tel: 469-688-5683
Email: christine@seejordan.org