West jordan kindercare: Daycare, Preschool & Child Care Centers in West Jordan, UT

I stand by the reed-covered shore and watch as Christian believers from the United States and Europe take turns carefully dipping into the murky waters.

“If you happen to be in this area, try to get here by all means,” says the Frenchman Oliver. “Everything here breathes history.”

American Mark, who came from Maryland, said that he came “for spirituality, in order to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.”

Image copyright Richard T. Nowitz

Image caption,

Pilgrims on the Israeli coast. Regardless of which country the shore belongs to, for believing Christians flocking to the Jordan River, this is a holy place. albeit somewhat differently. For Eastern Christians, this is the day when Jesus Christ was baptized by the prophet John in the waters of the Jordan, and for Catholics, it is also a memory of the visit of the baby Jesus by the wise men from the East (the feast of the Three Kings, or the Adoration Day of the Magi). nine0011

Jordan recently announced a massive $100 million to build a massive new pilgrimage complex to attract one million Christian pilgrims to El Makhtas (literally “immersion”) by 2030, the year the world celebrates 2000- anniversary of the rise of Christianity.

With these funds, the authors of the project want to build the largest pilgrimage and interfaith center in the region, given that the Jordan River and its valley are of religious significance not only for Christians, but also for Jews and Muslims. nine0011

Photo copyright, MK ASSOCIATES

Photo caption,

An architectural project showing what part of the future complex will look like at the place of baptism

“We are always glad that our guests and pilgrims can partake of the deeds of John the Baptist and Jesus” , says Rustom Mkhjian, CEO of the fund that manages El Makhtas.

“I call it the ‘fifth gospel’ because people can see with their own eyes the places they read about from the four canonical evangelists. Here you feel at the very center of faith and religious history,” he adds. nine0011

• Christ’s manger: the relic returned from Rome to Bethlehem after 1400 years
• House in Nazareth: the archaeologist believes that Jesus grew up in it carob tree, which is very fond of bees. Locals call it “locust pod”. And in the Gospel of Matthew (3:4) it says that “John wore a garment of camel’s hair and girded himself with a leather belt, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” nine0011

  The baptismal site, also known as Bethany of Transjordan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located nine kilometers north of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

  In Bethany, archaeologists have found structures from the Roman and Byzantine period, including churches, chapels, a monastery, caves where hermits lived, and a baptism pool.

  The author of the photo, Emad aljumah

  Photo caption,

  El Makhtas, also known as Bethany of Transjordan, the alleged place of the baptism of Jesus Christ

  After the Six-Day War in 1967 and until the 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, both banks of the Jordan River were closed to all but the military.

  The agreement established the border along the Jordan River, which made it possible to carry out excavations.

  Photo caption,

  A small cave believed to be the home of John the Baptist

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  “The second discovery of this place could only happen after the conclusion of peace,” says Rustom Mkhjian. “Just imagine that 11 huge minefields had to be cleared. Tens of thousands of mines removed! so that millions of pilgrims walk here, and not mines lie.”

  Both Israel and Jordan would like to see the majority of tourists and pilgrims on their side of the river. Over the past 20 years, El Mahtas has been visited by three Catholic popes, three patriarchs of the Coptic Church, as well as numerous church leaders from around the world. nine0011

  Many famous and wealthy people baptize their children in these waters, and the Jordanian royal court sent holy water to Britain for baptisms in the royal family.

  Jordanian authorities have also given permission for various Christian denominations to build their churches here – a rare occurrence in the Middle East.

  “It just makes my heart warm,” Sharon from the USA told me, praising the initiative of the Muslim royal family of Jordan. at home in this holy place.” nine0011 Image caption,

  An old cruciform baptistery (special site for baptism) built on the site where Jesus is traditionally believed to have been baptized, about 300 meters from the current bed of the Jordan River

  The 1. 4 sq km, which will be built next to the UNESCO site, was presented personally by King Abdullah of Jordan.

  Samir Murad leads a non-profit foundation that will oversee the implementation of the plan. From the very beginning, the designers decided to abandon the construction of modern hotels and the transformation of the holy place into a kind of theme park. nine0011

  “It would be foolish and unwise to build an ordinary tourist attraction in such a holy place,” he says. its essence.”

  Instead of 5-star hotels, tourists and pilgrims will live in glamping, which will visually resemble the historical buildings of 2000 years ago. Restaurants and eateries will prepare dishes from locally produced organic products. All cables for the necessary communications will be hidden underground. nine0011

  Image copyright lenazap

  Image caption

  The Greek Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist on the Jordanian side of the river. Photo taken from the Israeli coast

  Most of the complex will be devoted to agriculture and a bird sanctuary. The authors of the project have already turned to the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London with a request to help them return some of the plants mentioned in the Bible to this territory.

  In addition, Jordan has asked governments and religious organizations around the world to share part of the construction costs. nine0011

  The Middle East is a region where conflicts often occur, including on religious grounds. There is hope that the idea of ​​a new complex will serve as a worthy example of cultural exchange and interfaith harmony.

  You can read this article in the original in English here .

  Jordan (jordaniya) – resorts, tours and holidays in Jordan!

  Official name
  
  Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
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  Area – 9 300 sq. km.
  
  Capital – Amman
  
  The population is 5,153,000 people.
  
  Major cities are Amman, Aqaba, Zarqa, Irbid, Kerak.

  Geographical position of Jordan
  
  Jordan is located in the Middle East. In the west, it borders on Israel, part of the border runs along the Dead Sea. In the north – with Syria. In the northeast – with Iraq. In the south-southeast – with Saudi Arabia. In the northern part of the Dead Sea, Jordan has a resort area. nine0011

  Jordan has access to the Red Sea in the southeast. The city of Aqaba is not only the only port city in the country, but also a resort, as well as a free economic zone. A few kilometers by sea from the coast of Jordan (south of Aqaba), the territory of Egypt begins, with which there is regular sea communication.

  Climate
  
  Jordan has a Mediterranean climate that is pleasant to travel all year round. On the Dead Sea in Jordan, it is sunny and hot from May to early November, the average temperature is +30 ° C, in winter and spring (November-April), it is also sunny and warm, while the average temperature is +20 ° C. The best time to travel to Jordan is spring or autumn. In July and August the weather is usually dry and hot. Due to the location of the capital on a hill, it is cool here in the evening. nine0011

  Aqaba and the Jordan Valley are ideal winter destinations from November to April. The average temperature here at this time is 16-22C.
  
  According to the national composition of Jordan, the country is quite homogeneous: Arabs (Jordanians and Palestinians) – about 98%; people from the Caucasus (they are referred to by the common collective name “Circassians”) – about 1%; Armenians – about 1%.

  Language
  
  The official language in Jordan is Arabic. The majority of the population speaks English. There are people who speak Russian. nine0011

  Religion
  
  Islam

  Government
  
  Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state of Jordan is the king. After the death of King Hussein in 1999, his son, Abdullah II, ascended the throne.
  
  Jordan Independence Day – May 25, 1946

  Visa
  
  Citizens of Russia and CIS countries require a visa to visit Jordan. You can issue it upon arrival or at the consular section of the Jordanian Embassy in Moscow. nine0011

  Customs
  
  The import of weapons and drugs is prohibited. There are restrictions on the import of alcohol (3 liters) and cigarettes (1 block). The rest is a very liberal regime. When exporting antiques, it is advisable to have a receipt issued by the seller on hand.

  Currency
  
  The monetary unit is the Jordanian dinar. 1 dinar = 1000 fils.
  
  Currency exchange can be carried out in banks, hotels, special exchange offices, as well as at the borders and at the airport. nine0011

  Kitchen
  
  Arabic cuisine is one of the most sophisticated and sophisticated in the world. Food is also one of the important elements of culture through which people express their hospitality and generosity.

  Tip
  
  Many restaurants and hotels include tips on the bill, so it is not necessary to give them separately. If the tip is not included in the bill, usually leave an amount that is approximately 10% of the total bill.
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  Tips are not required in taxis. If the taxi driver works with the meter turned off, the cost of the trip must be negotiated before getting into the car.

  Time
  
  Time in Jordan is one hour behind Moscow. When it’s noon in Moscow, it’s 11:00 in Amman.
  
  Due to the mismatch between the dates of the transition to summer and winter time, Moscow time may be 2 hours ahead of Jordanian time or coincide with it.

  Public holidays and weekends
  
  The official holiday in Jordan is Friday, but many shopkeepers – Christians – do not work on Sundays. A number of national holidays are celebrated according to the European calendar, always on the same day:
  
  Labor Day – May 1st.
  
  Independence and Army Day – 25 May.
  
  Ascension of King Hussein to the throne – 6 September.
  
  Muslim holidays are also celebrated, the dates of which fluctuate annually within two weeks due to the fact that the lunar calendar is used to determine their occurrence. nine0011

  Opening hours of shops and institutions
  
  You can get great pleasure from shopping in Jordan – in small shops, before getting down to business, guests will be offered a cup of tea or coffee. Store opening hours are set individually. Some shops are open from 9:30 to 13:30 and from 15:30 to 18:30. Others work from 8-00 to 20-00. Many shops are closed on Fridays. Only local markets are open seven days a week.
  
  During Ramadan, businesses and shops close earlier than usual.
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  Banking hours are from Saturday to Thursday from 8:30 to 12:30, some banks continue to work from 15:30 to 17:30.