Orthodox Christians mark Theophany at Baptism Site

AMMAN — Over 5,000 Orthodox Christian pilgrims from around the world marked Theophany at the Baptism Site on the East Bank of the Jordan River, 40km west of Amman, on Friday.

Theophany (the Greek version of the Anglican Epiphany) marks the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the second person of the Holy Trinity — along with God and the Holy Spirit — which took place at the time of his baptism, according to Christian beliefs.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Christian pilgrims mark Epiphany and Theophany every year, is where Jesus Christ was baptised by John the Baptist.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on the sidelines of the ceremony, Tourism Ministry Secretary General Issa Gammoh said the number of visitors to the Baptism Site rose 24 per cent this past year, noting that 70 per cent of the visitors were foreigners.