Faith & community
A pilgrimage held every year on January 18th brings various Christian sects to the holy site of Qasr al Yahud, on the Jordan River - where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist.
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They came from everywhere
Over the course of 3 days, representatives from the Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian and Coptic churches gathered in what for many of the pilgrims was the trip of lifetime. An opportunity to bathe in the holy waters of the Jordan River and commune with fellow believers.
Day 1 centered around the Greek Orthodox Church. It began with a packed audience, listening to a sermon given by senior clergy:
The ecstasy
The sermon was followed by tens of Greek Orthodox pilgrims clamoring to bathe under showers connected directly to the river. Many brought bottles with them to take back the holy waters to less fortunate congregants and friends.
Unified in Faith
Pilgrims ranged in age from late teens to mid seventies, but all shared the spirit of the moment and the sense of place. As they stood under the flowing water, there was no hiding their elation and the power of their emotion.
The Ethiopian Church
Day 2: While the Greek Orthodox ceremony could be described as solemn and conservative - it was the Ethiopian Church’s event, characterized by the sheer volume of pilgrims and its less formal approach - that brought color and animation to the event.
Walking to Church
Over the course of a mile or so, the Ethiopian pilgrims walked in groups, to reach what turned out to be a derelict church that has fallen into disrepair. Its yellow painted walls faded, windows broken and pews removed - a shadow of its former self. Their sermon therefore, took place outside the church itself, in the surrounding grounds.
Grace & community
Though clearly poorer than their Eastern European counterparts, the Ethiopians carried themselves with great grace and reverence. A sense of strong community, of pride in their heritage and their church was evident across the entire spectrum of the congregation.
