This baptismal site located at the Jordan River on the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee Sea of Galilee provides a delightful and tranquil setting for anyone who wishes to be baptized or re-baptized in the Jordan River.
Over 400,000 visitors per year enjoy this convenient facility that provides baptismal robes, changing rooms and a stairway to walk down into the waters.
When you see hundreds of people in white robes celebrating baptism in the waters of the River Jordan you will experience something special that will last a lifetime.
Yardenit is designed to accommodate small or large groups and provides a quiet setting where visitors can reflect on deeply intimate moments; See the website for further information.
FROM THE SCRIPTURES
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Mark 1:4-8 ESV)
The Baptism of Jesus:
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, 'Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.'"
(Mark 1:9-11 ESV)
The Jesus Trail
Following the footsteps of Jesus, takes a whole new meaning by following the "Gospel Trail". From Mount of Precipice on the southern outskirts of Nazareth to Capernaum, you can visit the same places and see the same landscapes that Jesus visited and saw.
The Gospel Trail offers a golden opportunity to discover the cradle of Christianity in the Galilee. Follow the trail down the paths Jesus is believed to have taken when he left his childhood town of Nazareth for Capernaum, located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee and which became his center of ministry.
To enhance your experience, you will be able to choose how you want to travel the trail – by foot, bike or car, or even by sailing down the length of the Sea of Galilee. What’s more, you can even combine them on various segments. Choose what’s right for you based on your personal preferences and the level of difficulty you desire.
The main portion of the route will start in Mount Precipice, Nazareth and end in Capernaum. The secondary paths will be shorter, branching off from the main route to attractive sites in the Galilee. From Mount Precipice the route takes you along the Nazareth Range, where you can see the landscapes of Mount Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration, Kafr Kanna and the Turan Valley, via the Golani Junction and the Horns of Hattin, site of the clash between the Crusader forces and the Muslim armies under Saladin.
The route will then descend down the Arbel cliffs in the direction of the Sea of Galilee, until reaching Migdal and the antiquities of ancient Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. From Magdala, the route will continue northward along the Sea of Galilee to the holy triangle – Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum, and down the length of the Sea of Galilee on the promenade, taking in the magnificent views, until we reach our final destination – Capernaum churches, National Park and dock.
The secondary routes of the Gospel Trail will be in what is known as the Holy Basin, branching off into short trails from Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes, House of Galilee (Domus Galilaeae), Chorazin and Bethsaida. All of these routes will end at the main destination the Capernaum center, where trekkers will enjoy the encounter with the water, sophisticated dock with boats at their service, prayer areas and inspirational solitude on the beach, as well as diverse tourism services – rest and refreshment, information, food, tourism products, tours, transportation and restrooms. Additional secondary routes will connect to the main route from Kafr Kanna and Sepphoris, Mount Tabor, Horns of Hattin and Mount Arbel.
FROM THE SCRIPTURES:
But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil (Isaiah 9:1-3 ESV).
Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES— “THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.” From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:12-17 ESV).
