ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE COORDINATOR OF GOVERNMENT
ACTIVITIES IN TERRITORIES
For the second time since the official re-opening; ceremonies at the baptism site
The Spokesperson for the Coordinator of Government Activities in Territories announced that on Friday, 18 January, the annual major ceremony of the Christian communities will be held at Qaser El Yahud.
The ceremonies will be attended by the heads of the Greek-Orthodox, Ethiopian, Syriac and Coptic communities. The main ceremony will begin at 10:30 AM, with the arrival of the Greek patriarch for prayers in the St. John monastery. It should be noted that on the following day, Saturday 19th, the Syriac ceremony will take place at 9:00 AM, the Coptic ceremony at 11:00 AM and the Ethiopian ceremony at 12:30 AM. The Armenian ceremony will be on Sunday 27th of January.
The baptism site is the third of its significance and sacredness in the Christian world, and according to the belief, it is the exact place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. This act symbolizes the spiritual birth of Jesus.
During the last few years, approximately $15 million was invested by Israel’s Civil Administration, the Israel Nature and Park Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, the Regional Development Ministry and the IDF in order to renovate and upgrade the site.
As part of the process, mines were evacuated, the access roads to the site were widened, and parking lots were built. A deck was also built with security beams in order to enable immersion at the water line.
In July 2011, the site was officially re-opened for pilgrims with no prior coordination required. Following this, an increase of 240% of visitors was recorded between 2011 and 2012, while in 2012, 313,000 pilgrims visited the site.
Some clarifications for your convenience:
Because of the expected arrival of tens of thousands of people to the site, the entry of vehicles won’t be allowed. Those arriving in private vehicles will park at the upper gate, and will be assisted with organized transportation in order to go down to the site.
At the entrance, GPO card holders will be given a card, which will allow them to enter a special media zone. During the Greek Patriarch’ arrival, only few camera men will be allowed to come down, according to a pool pre-coordinated with the FPA, and following the request of the Patriarch and the rising of the water line, which reduced the possible gathering zone.
The rest of media will be directed to a suitable area from which they could watch and cover the ceremony.
In order to coordinate the entrance of reporters to an organized media zone, please send us their details:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.
Further on, representatives of the spokespersons’ offices both from COGAT and the Ministry of Defense will assist journalists with information and officials will be able to give interviews.
Representatives will also provide you with access cards at the entrance gate and in the information center by the water line (close to the buffet).
For further information, please contact:
COGAT spokesperson office:
03-6977611
For more details during the ceremony day:
The Spokesperson for the Coordinator of Government Activities in Territories, Major Guy Inbar:
050-6234053
