The Site of Christ’s Baptism Soon to Be Reopened
The site traditionally venerated as that of Christ’s baptism is about to be reopened to pilgrims after the removal of the anti-personnel mines of which it was chock full for the past few decades.
In a statement published on December 9, 2018, the Israeli government rejoiced at the progress of the mine-clearing project at the site 6 miles to the east of the city of Jericho where St. John the Baptist is believed to have baptized the Messiah.
The site and the several churches built on it had been closed to pilgrims for about 50 years because of the thousands of mines – over 3,000 – planted by Tsahal during the Six-Day War in 1967.
The mine-clearing began in March 2018 and was expected to take eight months to a year to complete, after which pilgrims will finally be able to come pray at the very place Christ began His public ministry.
Sources: Catholic News Agency / Catholic Herald / FSSPX.News – 12/19/2018
