Oct 21 – Bethany, Mt Nebo and Madaba

Today we visited Bethany Beyond (or Across) Jordan, a place referenced in the Bible as the place where Jesus was baptized. 

The first location we visited was Al Maghtas, an archaeological site that, based on archaeological evidence, is considered by archaeologists as the likely location of Jesus’ baptism.  The site was rediscovered in 1994 and the ruins that were visited were those of a basilica church with marble steps leading down to the baptismal area. 

There are also four large piers upon which the Chapel of the Mantle used to sit.  It had rained recently so there was a bit of water in this area. 

The Jordan River sometimes changes course plus much of the water has been diverted for irrigation.  Only this small dribble flows in the original site of the baptism.  It had rained the day before so there was water at the site.

A very short walk away we came to another section of the Jordan River...much more water here.    And on the opposite bank (Israeli side) was a new complex that is set up so that pilgrims can easily be baptized in the river (the Jordanian side had a much more modest set-up).  There were several large groups with people patiently waiting their turn to be baptized in the river.

Those in the group with the white robes were carefully and gently lowered backwards into the river. 

On the other hand, the group directly across from us (who looked like they might be from northern Africa) were vigorously doused with water over and over and over again, followed having their heads being pushed repeatedly into the river.  And this group was quite vocal in their euphoria.

But the feelings of both groups must have been similar…a wonderful feeling of spirituality and being touched by the Spirit at this very Holy place. 

Tara touching the water of the Jordan River.

Nearby was this pretty, little, gem of a church that is very new…built in 2000 after Pope John Paul visited the nearby site that has been recognized by a number of Christian churches as the authentic site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. 

From there we drove to Mt. Nebo, where Moses saw the Holy Land prior to his death.  The Memorial Church of Moses sits on the top of the hill, on top of the site of a ancient Byzantine Church. 

Inside, this church has nearly perfect mosaic floors.  The monks here decided to build a false floor over the mosaic floor to protect it from the Iconoclasts who were defacing mosaics (destroying the faces).  They were uncovered during excavations in the 1930’s.  The new church was built on the foundations of the Byzantine church. 

These mosaics were outside the church.

Views from the mountain.

The Brazen Serpent overlooks the Holy Land.

The Book of Love Among Nations sculpture.  This represents the spiritual union between the Jewish Torah, the Muslim Koran and the Christian Bible.  It looks like a tall book with faces engraved on the edges of the pages.

From here we drove to the town of Madaba, the mosaic capital of Jordan.  

The St. George Church…

has huge mosaic on the floor (in fragments) that is map of the middle east during Byzantine times.

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More St George Church
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Paul was a bit under the weather so Mary went out to dinner with Tara.  Tara had been scoping out the area so we first stopped at a bakery she had found. 

Then we had dinner at a place where they were making the falafels to order.  Such fresh food.  And it was fun to watch the falafel machine at work. 

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Video of falafel machine
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