Day 4 - Oct 2 (Friday)

We start the day later, since we had breakfast at 10am, after returning from the Liturgy around 4 am.

This morning we also stepped into the usually closed church on the way to breakfast in trapeza.

And this is the trapeza at breakfast......

Drive from Jerusalem to Jericho. It's a dramatic descent, since Jerusalem is 700m above sea level, while Jericho is 300m below sea level (deep in the earth).  We first stop at the site on the Jordan river closest to the Lord's baptismal site (which currently is in Jordan).

This site is also connected with St. Mary of Egypt. She took holy communion in the monastery of St. John the Baptist (still standing near that site, but at this time abandoned) and then crossed the river here to go into the Jordanian desert.

She shows us that all can receive forgiveness, change their life and become a Saint.

we get into our swimming suits and baptismal gowns and immerse ourselves in the waters 3 times.


The road from "Jerusalem to Jericho" is also a background for the parable of the Good Samaritan. With this parable Jesus tells us to take care of other people, no matter who they are, to love and forgive them.....

We see Beduin camps in the desert along the way......

We arrive in Jericho. This region has very extreme growing conditions, up to 50 deg C, which is good for growing fruit and vegetables and dates, which are harvested here up to 3 times a year.

(look up the story on 40 years in the desert and how the walls of Jericho fell simply because the Jews obeyed what God told them to do).

Next: Mount of Temptations - some take cable cars, other walk first half of the way. The church on the Mount of Temptations is dedicated to Annunciation. Here we also visit St. Hariton cave.

St. John the Baptist Church of Eclesiastical Mission. We have tea and grapes in the dinning room of the church, and buy dates from Sister Iraida.

Last stop is Zaccheus tree, with the Greek church. Zaccheus is an example of how God can change a person's heart in an instant.