The Carmelite order began with 12th century religious hermits, who, imitating the prophet Elijah who sometimes took refuge in a cave, organized themselves in caves on the Carmel Mountain in Haifa during the Crusader occupation.
Jardenit (pronounced Yardenit)
Situated where the Bible’s most famous river, the Jordan, emerges from the Sea of Galilee, Jardenit is the site where Christians have reaffirmed their faith for over 2,000 years.
“Jesus Christ traveled south to Jordan River to meet John the Baptist who was baptizing in the Jordan River all who would come and repent of their sins. Jesus Christ was then baptized in the Bethany across the Jordan River”.
A visit to Jardenit, where one can enter the river where John baptized Jesus, is memorable not only for its spirituality, but for the lovely and unique setting. Eucalyptus trees throw crystal-like shadows on the river which is reached by stairs leading to a little amphitheatre built especially for the visitors coming to experience a memorable ritual in this mystical setting.
“Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”
Supplied by water from the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), the Jordan River originates at Banias in the foothills of Mount Hermon and is the major river of ancient Israel. The name is derived from the Hebrew word “Yarod”, meaning “to descend.” Besides the Eucalyptus, the river is surrounded by trees and shrubs, such as, Apple of Sodom, tamarisk, rhododendron, and Angus Castus.
Natural water no longer flows along most of the Jordan River. The northern part of the river, between the Sea of Galilee and the meeting of the Jordan and Yarmukh, where the Jardenit Baptismal Site is located, is the only place where it is still possible to be baptized in the flowing water of the Jordan River.
The baptismal site has a large parking lot and convenient dressing rooms.
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