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Petra News Agency, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Sept 22 2012
Armenian delegation concludes several-day visit
Dead Sea, Sept. 22 (Petra)--Members of a government Armenian
delegation who have just concluded a several-day tour to Jordan said
they would come back again to the Kingdom but on private visits to
bring their family members. Standing eastern bank of the Jordan River,
where Jesus was baptized, the officials from the foreign ministry of
the former Soviet republic stressed that they would promote Jordan,
the biblical land, to younger generation in their country to know more
about the roots of Christianity. The Kingdom of Armenia became the
first state in the world to adopt Christianity as its religion in the
early years of the 4th century.
"This is my second time to Jordan but the first to the Baptism Site,"
said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Manasaryan, who noted that it was
hard for him to describe his feelings towards the spirituality of the
place as he was walking out of the river.
"I will do my best to come back again soon but with my family," he added.
For Manasaryan it is crucial for young Armenians to know more about
the roots of Christianity and the religious site is the perfect place
for this purpose.
According to the official, Armenians know that Jordan is a holy land
for Christians, but he acknowledged that tourism traffic between Amman
and Yerevan is still at low levels.
However, Manasaryan expressed optimism that tourists flow between the
two countries would strengthen in the months to follow as the Armenian
church at the Baptism Site is set to be open in the near future.
"Almost 90 per cent of the church construction is ready now," he pointed out.
As the official delegation toured archaeological site at the holy
place, they commended the level of services provided by Jordan.
It is so good to see that several churches have been built just next
to the river and the pilgrims are visiting this place on daily basis
to take a breath of peace," a member of the Armenian delegation said
while walking from the River site back to the main entrance.
"The remains found are proving the authenticity of the site and you
can sense the peace and tranquillity during the walk," Manasaryan to
describe what he saw.
Among these sites is the place were Jesus was baptized, where the
remains of five churches uniquely designed and built since the 5th
century as memorials of Jesus baptism can be seen. Other important
sites of the Baptism Site include Elijah's Hill, Cave Church, the
Pools, The Bethany Saphsaphas, The Church of Arch and John the Baptist
Spring among others.
The site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany Beyond the
Jordan, where Jesus was baptized, has long been known from the Bible
(John 1:28 and 10:40) and from the Byzantine and medieval texts.
The site has now been identified on the east bank of the Jordan River,
in Jordan, and is being systematically surveyed, excavated, restored,
and prepared to receive pilgrims and visitors. Bethany Beyond the
Jordan is located half an hour by car from Amman.
The Bethany area sites formed part of the early Christian pilgrimage
route between Jerusalem, the Jordan River, and Mount Nebo.
The Armenian delegation had other archaeological attractions to see
during a tour organised by the Jordan Tourism Board as they visited
the Roman Amphitheatre in downtown Amman as well as the Citadel, which
overlooks the capital.
"I expect hundreds of tourists from Armenia would be visiting Jordan
next year to experience the spirituality of the holy land," Manasaryan
remarked.
//Petra// ON
22/9/2012 - 03:12:24 PM
http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=84927 &CatID=13&Type=Home>ype=1
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Sept 22 2012
Armenian delegation concludes several-day visit
Dead Sea, Sept. 22 (Petra)--Members of a government Armenian
delegation who have just concluded a several-day tour to Jordan said
they would come back again to the Kingdom but on private visits to
bring their family members. Standing eastern bank of the Jordan River,
where Jesus was baptized, the officials from the foreign ministry of
the former Soviet republic stressed that they would promote Jordan,
the biblical land, to younger generation in their country to know more
about the roots of Christianity. The Kingdom of Armenia became the
first state in the world to adopt Christianity as its religion in the
early years of the 4th century.
"This is my second time to Jordan but the first to the Baptism Site,"
said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Manasaryan, who noted that it was
hard for him to describe his feelings towards the spirituality of the
place as he was walking out of the river.
"I will do my best to come back again soon but with my family," he added.
For Manasaryan it is crucial for young Armenians to know more about
the roots of Christianity and the religious site is the perfect place
for this purpose.
According to the official, Armenians know that Jordan is a holy land
for Christians, but he acknowledged that tourism traffic between Amman
and Yerevan is still at low levels.
However, Manasaryan expressed optimism that tourists flow between the
two countries would strengthen in the months to follow as the Armenian
church at the Baptism Site is set to be open in the near future.
"Almost 90 per cent of the church construction is ready now," he pointed out.
As the official delegation toured archaeological site at the holy
place, they commended the level of services provided by Jordan.
It is so good to see that several churches have been built just next
to the river and the pilgrims are visiting this place on daily basis
to take a breath of peace," a member of the Armenian delegation said
while walking from the River site back to the main entrance.
"The remains found are proving the authenticity of the site and you
can sense the peace and tranquillity during the walk," Manasaryan to
describe what he saw.
Among these sites is the place were Jesus was baptized, where the
remains of five churches uniquely designed and built since the 5th
century as memorials of Jesus baptism can be seen. Other important
sites of the Baptism Site include Elijah's Hill, Cave Church, the
Pools, The Bethany Saphsaphas, The Church of Arch and John the Baptist
Spring among others.
The site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany Beyond the
Jordan, where Jesus was baptized, has long been known from the Bible
(John 1:28 and 10:40) and from the Byzantine and medieval texts.
The site has now been identified on the east bank of the Jordan River,
in Jordan, and is being systematically surveyed, excavated, restored,
and prepared to receive pilgrims and visitors. Bethany Beyond the
Jordan is located half an hour by car from Amman.
The Bethany area sites formed part of the early Christian pilgrimage
route between Jerusalem, the Jordan River, and Mount Nebo.
The Armenian delegation had other archaeological attractions to see
during a tour organised by the Jordan Tourism Board as they visited
the Roman Amphitheatre in downtown Amman as well as the Citadel, which
overlooks the capital.
"I expect hundreds of tourists from Armenia would be visiting Jordan
next year to experience the spirituality of the holy land," Manasaryan
remarked.
//Petra// ON
22/9/2012 - 03:12:24 PM
http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=84927 &CatID=13&Type=Home>ype=1
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress