6.07.2015

Baptisms on the Jordan River, Golan Heights & Nazareth

American Christian tourists/pilgrims get baptized en masse in the Jordan River. It is thought that this section of the river could be the location where Jesus was supposedly baptized by John the Baptist.  



This gentleman filmed his baptism with a Go Pro camera.

My mother, excited to be at the River Jordan

Inside the Church of the Beatitudes built on the location where Jesus may have delivered his Sermon on the Mount.

View of the Sea of Galilee from an old Syrian military bunker at Peace Vista Lodge in the Golan Heights, just a few miles from the Syrian border

Peace Vista Lodge is part of a kibbutz/settlement, Kfar Haruv, which operates a dairy onsite.  They also farm and manufacture hydraulic equipment.  It's impressive how the intentional communities (kibbutzes) have become financially independent and successful.  However, many in the international community would consider this community and all Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights to be illegal (according to Wikipedia).

View of a promontory where an ancient fortress once stood and was captured by the Romans in Gamla Nature Reserve in the Golan Heights

Not an infrequent sign in the Golan Heights

Through a strip mall, our guide took us to the viewpoint overlooking the city of Nazareth

Facade of the Church of the Annunciation, where the Roman Catholics believe that the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus

One of many mosaics in the courtyard

Supposed site of Mary's Annunciation in the church

Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth

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