According to Christian tradition, starting from the 4th century, the site of the Baptism of the Lord is considered to be the northern end of the Jordan River, located 8 km from the city of Jericho near the Greek Orthodox monastery of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John.

The original place of the Baptism of the Lord

The entry of Jesus Christ into the waters of the Jordan was accompanied by many signs. The Jordan River flows from the mountains (about 400 m high), flows into the Sea of ​​Gennesaret (now Lake Kinneret), but does not mix with its salty waters for 300 meters, continues to flow with a powerful stream until it flows into the Dead Sea. When Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended on Him, the waters of the Jordan receded.

This sign has been repeated every year since then: on the eve of Epiphany, Orthodox people float wooden crosses with lit candles down the river, the river takes them to the Dead Sea, and on January 19 invariably brings them back! On the same day, the usually fresh water of the Jordan becomes salty ...

How does this happen

The place of Christ's baptism is now located on the territory of the state of Jordan, and local authorities only on January 19 allow the Patriarch to perform services on the shore and bless the water.

Many pilgrims gather on the shore

This action is followed by a great number of visitors: therefore, there is a colossal number of eyewitnesses who saw with their own eyes how the waters of the river turn back, the water “plays”, being sanctified by the holy spirit, and the branches of trees growing along the banks sink so low that they touch the surface of the water.

Once a year, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, when the Patriarch of Jerusalem serves a festive prayer service on the Jordan, there comes a moment when the waters of the river begin to boil and turn back. So obviously and undeniably the Lord shows people His power and grace. And now, for two thousand years, people have been coming to the banks of the biblical river, with the hope of receiving healing of soul and body after washing ....

Hope for a miracle

The great miracle and sign described in the Bible can be seen by many people. As soon as, after a prayer, silver crosses from both banks of the Jordan are thrown into its calm waters, a whirlpool appears on the surface of the river - and the current changes for several minutes. The exclamation of delight of many pilgrims is heard over the Judean desert. It is hard to believe your eyes: like two thousand years ago, after Jesus Christ entered these waters, the Jordan again changes its course.

Pilgrims are allowed to go to the place of the baptism of the Lord mainly twice a year - on the eve of the feast of the Epiphany, when the Great Blessing of Water is performed, and on Holy Week. This is due to the fact that the border between the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan runs along the waters of the Jordan River just in the place where, according to legend, the Baptism of Christ took place, and the entire nearby territory is under the strict control of border guards.

With hope for a miracle

celebrations

The festive service begins in the monastery of St. John the Baptist, where numerous pilgrims from different countries and local Christians flock from early morning, impatiently awaiting the start of the festive service. People walking along the road in a continuous line resemble the procession of the ancient Israelites who came here to receive John's baptism. Each of them is glad that he can be a partaker of these events, and partake of the grace of the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

The Arab scouts with drums and bagpipes, dressed in beautiful festive uniforms to accompany the solemn procession of the Greek clergy led by the Jerusalem Patriarch, also look very picturesque. Exotics add barbed wire on both sides of the road and signboards in English and Hebrew warning that there are minefields around. The border is still...

People tend to take a place closer to the wooden platform, built for the upcoming blessing of water and the convenience of immersing the cross in the jets of the sacred river. Everyone is waiting for the so-called "water disturbance".

The width of the Jordan in this place is only a few meters and the other side is literally "within reach." The current in the river is quite strong, but it steadily and slowly carries its waters towards the Dead Sea. The steep banks, densely overgrown with reeds, weeping willows and oleander bushes, are a striking sight.

Such, probably, was the Jordan on that distant, unique day in history, when Jesus came from Galilee here, to John the Baptist, to receive the baptism of repentance from him. “John held Him back and said: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me? But Jesus answered and said to him, Leave now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then John admits Him” (Matthew 3:14-15).

Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilus III

Jordan flowed back

Finally, the sound of an approaching procession is heard: the Patriarch, accompanied by the clergy, descends to the shore to perform the rite of the Great Blessing of Water. While singing the festive troparion, the patriarch plunges the holy cross into the water three times, and at this time white doves specially brought for the ceremony soar into the air, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit. The water in the river after the rite of consecration seems to come to life: there is no longer the former slowness and regularity in its course, and small funnels form on its surface of the water. "Look what's happening!" - the pilgrims shout, pointing to the water closer to the other bank, where small waves hurriedly moved like lambs in the direction opposite to the flow of the river. At the sight of this miracle, the words of the Psalter of David are involuntarily recalled: “What is the matter with you, the sea, that you ran, and (with you) the Jordan, that you turned back?” (Ps. 113:5).

Testimony of pilgrims

Here are some eyewitness accounts as an example.

Olga Gracheva (Nizhny Novgorod): “I carefully watched the water in the river. During the rite of consecration, near the place where the Patriarch lowered the cross into the water, small waves began to rise on the surface of the water. A stick was just floating there and I saw that the water carried it in the other direction.

Oksana Andreeva (Moscow), parishioner of the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Cherkizovo: “We were standing a little to the right of the Patriarch next to a group of Italians, and they are known to be very emotional people. Suddenly they began to shout "Fenomine!" and point to the water. We looked there and saw that a semicircle had formed in the midst of the current. A small twig of eucalyptus fell into this semicircle, and it was clearly visible that it was moving in the direction opposite to the flow of the river. The bank of the Jordan was very steep and I decided not to go down, but immediately jump into the water. Having immersed myself with my head, I took a sip of water and felt that the water was salty, my mouth even burned. I was very surprised, because the water in the Jordan is fresh. Then, already on the bus, one of the pilgrims explained to me that when the river turns back, the water from the Dead Sea, into which the Jordan flows, could make its waters salty.

A general revival reigned on the shore: people happily collected and drank holy baptismal water, because it is this water, according to the words of the prayer just read during the rite of consecration, that has “deliverance grace, incorruptibility source, blessing gift, resolution of sins, healing of ailments, demons omnipotence."

Each pilgrim took home precious water from the Jordan, and with it blessed impressions and prayer inspiration from the Holy Land.

The ruins of the basilica on the site of the Epiphany

The photo shows the authentic place of the Baptism of the Lord in Jordan, the ruins of an ancient Christian basilica, in which there was no altar apse and steps led directly from the altar to the Holy Jordan.

Kontakion of the Forerunner voice 6

Fearing Your carnal coming, / Jordan returning with fear; / fulfilling the prophetic ministry, / John hid in trembling; / The angelic men are terrified, / seeing Thee, in the streams of the flesh baptized; / and all who are in darkness, illumined, / / ​​singing Thee, appearing and enlightening the whole.

On the Jordan, we have repeatedly seen how, near wells and reservoirs, immediately after the consecration of water, each believer wants to be the first to scoop holy water into a vessel.
People try to get ahead of each other in vain. As Father Valery Sirotyuk, rector of the UGCC Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God, says, this ancient tradition dates back to the Old Testament:
- The tradition of worshiping holy water exists among many peoples. The Old Testament says that the Jerusalem temple had a sheep font, where water from Siloam flowed. Once a year an angel descended upon those waters. It was also said that the one who was the first to plunge into those waters that would not have physical disabilities would definitely improve his health.
- Jordanian water acquires healing properties for a particular person only if she went to Divine services, took Holy Communion and came to holy confession. In order for water to become healing, a person must change - sincerely believe and practice the holy faith. “Faith without deed is dead.” Since then, people have been trying to first touch the blessed water on the Jordan and believe that it will cure them of various ailments.
- They say that Jordanian water changes in its structure, never spoils and is healing. But you should not make God out of water. You can't just trust holy water.
I emphasize that the road to salvation is the church of Christ, who gives the holy mysteries, they are not revealed outside the church. When people come to church only “once a year”, this is not evidence of deep faith, and a person needs to look for a way to God.
As for the changes that occur in Jordanian water, they include a change in the very substance of water and its properties. By the way, such amazing changes occur with water only at Epiphany. The Church preserves Jordanian water for a year for the consecration of dwellings with holy water and the baptism of infants. It is said that water is not spoiled only by the fact that silver is put into it. I think that these are Soviet inventions. On this day, through the blessing of the Church - the reading of prayers, the Gospel - rivers and reservoirs are consecrated. Where can you get so much silver? The water is sanctified by the Holy Spirit, which ascends and sanctifies the water with the grace of hypocrisy. Jordanian water not only cleanses the house, but also deprives its owners of the devil's power.
- How are the traditions of cleaning with Jordanian water carried out today?
- Priests with church fraternity, accompanied by loud ringing from the Trinity, go to the houses of the faithful and bring them Jordanian water. It’s a pity that this tradition didn’t work out in the city. I happened to be in many such houses where, at the time of the consecration of the house, amazing things happened that only a believer can explain. There was such a thing that I went into the house and felt that my presence here was urgently needed. Everything prevented me from crossing the threshold of such a house - they did not open, the priest's cassock clung to all the door handles, something constantly fell from my hands. And this does not frighten the priest, he has spiritual immunity for that.
When there are problems at home or it seems to a person that there are some unclean spirits in her house that haunt her, or a noticeable cycle of some evil miscalculations in the house - illness, misfortune - Christians turn to us with a request for a complete cleaning of the house. Jordanian water and prayer do wonders. After consecration, the home atmosphere immediately changes, prayers and
Jordanian water cleans the house, the owners immediately feel it.
Jordanian water is also used for exorcism - prayers for the expulsion of a demon from a person. With my own eyes I saw that struggle of a good and evil spirit in a person - a terrible sight.
Drink Jordanian water and purify your hearts!

18:33, 18.01.2014

On January 19, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate the feast of Epiphany. For believers, this is one of the most important days of the year; Christians believe that it is in Baptism that one can get rid of ailments and improve health. The main thing is to do everything sincerely and correctly.

WHY IS IT SPECIAL

At Epiphany, Christmas time ends, which continued from Christmas. The Epiphany Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on January 18, precedes the holiday. On this day in the evening, festive services will be held in all Orthodox, and then the Great Blessing of Water.

Baptism is associated with the baptism of Jesus, and therefore water is given special importance on this day. She is considered healing and holy. Moreover, we are talking about any water - in rivers, wells and even taps.

It's hard to believe, but even scientists have confirmed that the water in Epiphany becomes special. Experts in human ecology have found that on this day all the water on the planet changes its properties. Scientists attribute this to the position of the Earth, which, just on the night of January 19, falls into the "zone" where the influence of external flow particles is strong. The fluid reacts to them and changes. It is scientifically proven that the water becomes softer. Moreover, these properties are preserved for a very long time, the main thing is to pour water into a clean container and isolate, i.e. close with a lid or stopper. Scientists have even calculated the time when this happens. According to our time, this is from about 19.00-19.30 on January 18 and until about noon on January 19. And this, as you know, is just the time when believers believe that all water becomes holy ...

JORDAN WATER PHENOMENON

Director of the Institute of Human Ecology, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Mikhail Kurik has been studying changes in the structure of water on the night of January 18-19 for 11 years. The physical properties of the stocks made on the day of the Epiphany back in 2003 have not changed. That is, Jordanian water does not spoil! This is not a myth, but a scientifically proven fact.

“The composition of water changes according to the lunar calendar,” explains the scientist. - Powerful energy metamorphoses occur after 24 hours of the night on the feast of the Jordan, under the influence of a cosmic ray. That is, the energy of water increases significantly due to cosmological factors.”

Mikhail Kurik emphasizes that water is the most energy store on earth. Its structure and nurturing change even during prayer – consecration. But on the day when we remember the Baptism of Jesus, scientists noted the most optimal variant of interaction between the Earth and the planets of the solar system. The fact that for 11 years the liquid studied by scientists in 25 vessels did not bloom and did not lose its pleasant taste is a phenomenon whose mystery has not yet been explained. But it has been proven that in its structure it is as close as possible to the intracellular water of the human body, which means that it has useful and healing properties. Thanks to its strong energy, it can rejuvenate the body, deprive it of various ailments. These properties are inherent in any water on Earth, collected on January 19 before lunch.

Store the miracle liquid in a separate vessel. “It is advisable to add a tablespoon or dessert spoon of Jordanian water to tea or coffee. Even if you got it from the tap, do not hesitate, this is an excellent cure for indigestion, "spoilage", the evil eye, fright and other problems associated with the human biofield, says Mikhail Kurik. “It’s also good for her to wash her face to keep her healthy.”

They also conducted another study - scientists tried to find out how water reacts to prayers. It turned out that after church ceremonies and immersion of the silver cross in water, it becomes soft and almost all harmful impurities and bacteria disappear in it.

IS IT NECESSARY TO BLESS WATER

It is believed that all water for baptism, without exception, becomes holy, so there is no need for the rite of consecration itself. But going to church on this day is important for believers. You can also draw water there - it will be doubly magically strong, thanks to the effect of prayer and the illumination of the place.

However, you can read a prayer over water drawn from a tap on your own. In general, baptismal water should be treated with special respect. Keep it carefully and constantly pray over it - only then you can be sure of its magical properties.

It is believed that on January 19, all believers should go to church in the morning. Someone brings the collected water already with them. Having endured the service, people carry consecrated water home and put it in a corner where icons hang. It is important not to put water on the floor! Returning home from the temple, you need to sprinkle all the rooms with holy water - so that neither illness, nor misfortune, nor quarrels, nor any evil spirits would live here anymore.

At the same time, the clergy say: water is not a panacea for all ills. Christians are saved by faith, not water. Therefore, simply by coming to church and standing there with a bottle of water, do not count on healing from all diseases. Pray, ask God for mercy and forgiveness. Collect water only in clean bottles and jars, preferably without any markings. And you definitely shouldn't put water in beer bottles, even if you have removed the label from them!

HOW AND HOW MUCH TO DRINK

It is believed that it is best to drink baptismal water in the morning on an empty stomach - before you have time to have breakfast and drink coffee. But to read a prayer before this is a must. You can pray in your own words, simply asking the Almighty for health - both bodily and spiritual. You can not do this in a bad mood or with evil thoughts. It is also useful to wash your face with this water in the morning - it is believed that it not only heals, but also rejuvenates. You can also drink baptismal water "out of hours" - as soon as something hurts or you feel embittered or despondent. Just take a couple of sips and don't forget to pray.

A special prayer for the acceptance of baptismal water sounds like this: “Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities by Thy boundless mercy through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.". But, we repeat, you can pray in your own words - most importantly, sincerely.

Priests say that it is not at all necessary to collect canisters of water so that it would last until the next Epiphany. A few liters is enough. Fill a clean, dry bottle, cover well and place in a dark place. Now take a spoonful of consecrated water and add it to a jug with ordinary water or to a teapot. So, holy water will transfer its properties to the water that you drink daily.

It is not for nothing that this country bears the name of one of the most ancient and revered rivers in the world: 90% of the territory of Jordan is occupied by desert, and there is not too much water here, but what is there is a real storehouse of healing miracles.

There are several natural SPA "salons" on the territory of Jordan: the Dead Sea region, Hammamat Ma "in thermal springs, the resort town of Aqaba, located on the Red Sea coast, and the main Christian healing attraction - the Jordan River. Of course, in addition to natural sources of wellness procedures, SPA-salons are open at resort hotels, where various procedures are offered, both based on well-known international cosmetic lines, and on products from local mud, salts and thermal waters.

Jordan River

The place where John the Baptist lived and Jesus Christ was baptized - Bethany beyond the Jordan - is known from biblical, Byzantine and medieval sources. Today it is believed that it is located on the east bank of the Jordan River, in modern Jordan (the river separates the territories of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority), an hour's drive from the country's capital, Amman. Today it is not only a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world, but also one of the most mysterious and healing places on earth. Local residents tell many stories about the miraculous healing of the body and spirit of those who, according to tradition, plunged headlong into the waters of the Jordan three times. It is considered good form to put on a linen or cotton shirt before washing, which then needs to be dried without washing, and put on when the body needs help - with severe stress, colds, headaches and other disorders. Pilgrims also take water with them - drinking, however, is still not recommended, but sprinkling yourself and loved ones in difficult situations is very welcome. Maybe someone will call this religious prejudice, but skeptics may object: one way or another, but the cloudy-greenish-looking river water is stored in a clean container for years, without spoiling at all! In addition, if you believe in the ability of water to accumulate positive energy, then Jordan even has a favorable psychological effect on atheists. The author of this article, not being a very religious person, experienced it for herself: after bathing, the mood miraculously improves, and an unprecedented lightness is felt in the body. And just a walk along the banks of this ancient river, overgrown with greenery, suggests thoughts about the eternal and helps to cleanse the mind of all vain things.

Dead Sea

In the mass consciousness of the tourist, the Dead Sea is still associated more with Israel than with its eastern neighbor. But in fairness it should be noted: the Israeli and Jordanian, which is located 65 km from Amman, are two completely different resorts. The Dead Sea is divided into two basins: in Israel, the average salt concentration is 33%, and in Jordan - 28%. And if doctors do not recommend staying in the first one for more than 20 minutes (and swimming there, in general, is quite difficult - the water pushes too much), then you can swim in the Jordanian Dead Sea without time limits. And since no effort is needed to stay on the water, you can take a healing bath with Dead Sea salts for at least a whole day. At the same time, the concentration of salt quite allows, if desired, on a hot day, to plunge into the water up to the very neck. Another nice point: nothing should interfere with direct contact of your skin with healing water. It is absolutely not necessary to smear all sorts of sunscreens, because in the Dead Sea region, due to the high concentration of ozone, due to the negative altitude (-400 m) above sea level, and also due to bromine and useful salt fumes, it is simply impossible to get burned even on the hottest day . It should be borne in mind only that the air temperature in the Dead Sea area is 7-10 ° C higher than the national average.

Another special attraction is the Dead Sea mud. Beach workers wash it along the shore and bring it to the beach in buckets - use it as much as you want, and it's completely free. There is always a mirror on the beach, so you can get creative - after all, you probably want to take a photo in which you look like a resident of Chunga Changa island. In general, having smeared yourself with this thick dark brown substance, you can spin around in front of the camera with health benefits for about twenty minutes, and then go to the "wash" in the sea.

The therapeutic effect of the Dead Sea is so widely known that it hardly needs commentary. Let's just say briefly: local muds have a positive effect on the skin and treat many skin diseases, including psoriasis, have a regenerating effect, relieve fatigue, restore body tone, improve blood microcirculation; mud is especially good for fighting cellulite.

However, a natural SPA course can be supplemented with an "office" one - in the Anantara SPA of the Kempinski Ishtar hotel. Here they make procedures with such traditional components for Jordan as patchouli, mandarin, lavender, bergamot, sandalwood, bergamot, as well as Thai coffee beans, volcanic pumice, yogurts and even fresh cucumbers, which relieve tension, create excellent well-being and, by the way, , are 90% water.

Hammamat Ma "in

Not far from the Dead Sea, southwest of the city of Madaba, is the place Hammamat Ma "in, famous for its thermal mineral springs. These differ from ordinary sources in that they come to the surface high in the rocks and, breaking on stones, form several waterfalls cascades.Accordingly, you can benefit from them not only with the help of baths, but also directly standing under the waterfalls.There are dozens of such sources, but only a few of them are in accessible places - in the thermal park of the same name, open to all comers, as well as on the territory of the Evason Ma "In Hot Springs & Six Senses SPA hotel, which opened six months ago.

The sources of Ma "in have been known since the time of the Roman Empire - scientists claim that even then people were healed by them. By the way, it is these sources that feed the Dead Sea. The water temperature ranges from 35 ° C to 55 ° C, and the force of the fall of water in some of them comparable to the effect of a fairly intense massage. So, going under such a "fountain", you involuntarily recall the fairy tale about Prince Gvidon - the sensations when a strong jet of very hot water hits you are remembered for a long time. By the way, such procedures are very useful for those who hot baths are contraindicated for medical reasons.The springs contain a large amount of hydrogen sulfide - such water is especially useful for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, bones and joints.Local residents say that other tourists are literally brought under the waterfalls, and after a week they are cheerfully stomping from here on foot In addition, hydrogen sulfide baths improve memory and skin condition, have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The Evason Ma "In Hot Springs & Six Senses SPA SPA center deserves special attention. Naturally, they work here on local mineral water, as well as on cosmetics of their own Six Senses line (translated as "Six Senses"). It is noteworthy that the procedures are called here "SPA trips", which is quite close to the truth, because thoughtful rituals really make you dive into your own feelings and remember the most pleasant associations from this (or maybe past?) life.There are many types of massage here: holistic, Swedish, oriental fusion, energetic, Thai with herbal pouches, hot stones, etc. The salon's signature treatment is Sensory Journey, a massage performed by two therapists at the same time.Starting with the feet, then doing an unconventional aromatic body massage with two long sticks followed by an anti-stress head massage.

In addition, here you can develop an individual SPA program and a program with a trainer who will work with you on fitness, yoga and meditation. And an excellent backdrop for all this is falling water, which, it seems, can be watched for an eternity...

Red sea

An excellent completion of the "water" tour to Jordan will be the resort of Aqaba, located on the Red Sea. Sandy beaches and coral reefs take the stress out of even the most weary traveler! In the Aqaba area, there are many outlandish marine reptiles in the sea - clown fish, triggerfish, gobies, needle fish, parrot fish, rare corals - for example, a black tree-like coral, recently discovered by King Hussein of Jordan himself - a big fan of diving and other water activities. If you want - watch the animals with scuba gear, if you want - go deep sea fishing. Sea water will not let you down!

Maria Zhelikhovskaya

Biblical sites and historical relics, the life-giving waters of the Dead Sea and the coral reefs of Aqaba, the red sands of the Wadi Rum desert and fabulous Petra - this is all Jordan.

Jordan (arab. Al-Urdun), the official name is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - an Arab state in the Middle East. It borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel and the Palestinian Authority to the west. Jordan shares with Israel and the Palestinian Authority the coastlines of the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba with Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. About 90% is occupied by desert and semi-desert.

Although the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (“Hashimi” means that its rulers, today it is King Abdullah II, descend directly from the Prophet Muhammad) is a relatively young state, founded immediately after the First World War, it is located on lands where historical artifacts, monuments there are so many ancient civilizations and evidence of biblical legends that it will be enough for more than one year of study. Just listen to the music in these titles: Umayyad Palace, Wadi Rum, Madaba, Jerash, Zarqa Main, Ghadara, Petra…..

In 2007, the ancient city of Petra was recognized by UNESCO as one of the seven modern wonders of the world. But even without an official document, it is clear that this is a priceless treasure that you need to see at least once in your life. Lost among the sands and mountains, surrounded by unreal, almost Martian landscapes, the city is carved into pink rocks that change color depending on the time of day. It is covered with many legends, the most incredible of which says that the city was created almost by aliens.

More than two thousand years ago, the Nabateans, who controlled all the trade caravan routes of Arabia, created a rich and prosperous state with the capital of Petra, the mention of which can be found in ancient historians, then the city was captured and plundered by the troops of the Roman emperor Troyan and ... forgotten by almost a thousand years. Until, in 1812, the Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt entered this mysterious city lost in the sands by fraudulently disguised as an Arab merchant (the location of Petra was kept in the strictest confidence by the Bedouins).

Then he wrote in his diary: "It is likely that the ruins of Wadi Musa are nothing more than the remains of ancient Petra." In order to get to Petra, one has to walk two kilometers through the deep and narrow Sig gorge. And at the end of the path, freeze with admiration: between the narrow rocks, in which twilight reigns, as if out of nothingness, the sun-drenched and pink-filled Al-Khazna (Treasury), the most beautiful and most famous building of Petra, will arise.

Then begins the Necropolis, with a hundred perfectly preserved buildings that were used as burial places, with altars and an ancient building turned into an amphitheater by the Romans, the monastery of Deir and the tomb of Aaron, the brother of Moses, built already in the XIII century by the Mamluk Sultan on top of one of the local mountains. You can travel around Petra for more than one day, admiring its ancient buildings, but nothing can compare with the first impression of the Treasury...

Another of the wonders of Jordan is the Dead Sea, thousands of pages have been written about its healing properties, but the only way to see for yourself is to spend at least a couple of days in this unique place. 400 meters below the level of the world ocean, a special microclimate, air rich in oxygen and devoid of harmful impurities, and the purest water saturated with useful salts and minerals, in which none of the forms of life is possible...

The Dead Sea is characterized by two “no” - it is impossible to drown in it, since the density of water here is so high that the body is simply pushed to the surface, and the feeling is that you are swimming not in water, but in an oil solution, and it is impossible to “burn” here - because the ultraviolet rays are trapped in an additional 400-meter layer of air, which does not transmit harmful UVB radiation. And under the influence of bromides dissolved in the air, sleep becomes as strong as it happens only in childhood and ... at the Dead Sea.

In terms of the number of events that are mentioned in the Old and New Testaments that took place in these holy places, Jordan may well compete with its western neighbor, Israel. The lands opposite Jericho are sacred to all believers - it is here that two

Thousands of years ago, the baptism of Jesus Christ took place in Bethany. Modern archaeological finds and calculations of scientists have made it possible to accurately determine the location of the area, which in the Bible was called Bethany beyond the Jordan, where Christ met John the Baptist. Here is the mountain of St. Elijah with the ruins of an ancient monastery and a cave in which the Baptist lived. Anyone can perform the rite of purification here - for this you need to put on a baptismal shirt and plunge into the Jordan River three times. It is believed that in this way you can wash away all sins. If you collect holy water from the Jordan River in a transparent vessel, then the water at first seems cloudy and gray, but after a while it becomes crystal clear.

Another attraction of Jordan is Mount Nebo, on which, according to legend, Moses climbed before his death, and where the Lord granted him eagle vision so that the hundred-year-old prophet could see the Promised Land. The mountain offers a wide panorama of the Jordan Valley, a breathtaking view of the Dead Sea, Jericho and Jerusalem. According to legend, it was on this mountain that the prophet was buried, here are the ruins of a small church with ancient mosaics, built in the 4th century in memory of the death of Moses.

Not far from Mount Nebo is the ancient city of Madaba - which is often called the "city of mosaics" or eastern Pompeii, since this place was buried under a layer of sand for a long time. The main attraction - a mosaic Byzantine map of the VI century, depicting Jerusalem and other holy places up to the Nile Delta - is located in the Orthodox Church of St. George.

You can travel back to the time of Alexander the Great and Pompey the Great if you take a walk through the ancient city of Jerash, the legendary Gerasa, one of the best preserved Roman cities in the East. The Corinthian-style Hadrian's Gate, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis, and the Sanctuary of Zeus are all in excellent condition. But what is of particular admiration is the millennial Roman pavements, over which time seems to have no power. The legend says that when the mayor accepted the work, he hit the pavement with his saber, and if the blade got stuck between the stones, the head was torn off the master. So the Romans built on the conscience.

One of the most beautiful deserts in the world, Wadi Rum is located 60 kilometers from Aqaba. People come here to ride jeeps on pinkish-red dunes, see the seven Pillars of Wisdom - the mountains named so by Lawrence of Arabia for their greatness, and admire the sunset. This spectacle here is especially impressive. Climbing a high boulder, you see a stunning picture: the sun paints the sands in various shades of red, falling farewell over the hills, and an almost meditative state descends on the viewer. And, of course, the unique charm of the oriental night, when the hookah smells sweet, the Bedouins dance their dances, and huge stars hang over your head, which you will not see anywhere else.

25 km from Madaba there is an extraordinary place with hot mineral springs - this is Zarka Main. To get there, you need to go down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon along a serpentine road. From above, an extraordinary view of the Dead Sea and Sat Canyon opens, from the basalt rocks of which the hot waters of springs fall down into Wadi Zarka Main, which then flow down it to the Dead Sea. King Herod the Great of Judea was treated in the waters of Zarqa Main. The use of springs for medicinal purposes continued into Byzantine times. After centuries of oblivion, the springs were reopened, and people in need of healing began to descend to them.

Jordan is an amazing country where, it seems, every corner is fraught with a lot of mysterious, magical and beautiful things. I would like to return here again and again to feel the connection of times and enjoy the splendor of ancient monuments created by human hands and views of unique landscapes created by nature.

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