According to biblical narrative, the prophet Elijah was born and raised in the hills of Gilead. In its serene landscapes lies Anjara –a small Jordanian village steeped in history. Located about 73 kilometers from Amman, Anjara is visited by pilgrims and travelers from all over the world, attracted by the shrine of Our Lady of the Mountain –and the story behind it.
Anjara is on an ancient Roman road that connected the Jordan Valley to the east of Gerasa (now Jerash). Its location has made this mountain spring a resting place for travelers and believers since ancient times. Today, it is easily accessible from Amman (about an hour’s drive) and visitors often come in the spring and fall to enjoy the milder climate.
Christian tradition claims that Jesus of Nazareth, accompanied by his mother, Mary, and his disciples, passed through Anjara as they traveled between the Sea of Galilee, the Decapolis and Jerusalem. During their journey, they decided to rest for a bit on a cave. This episode turned this cave into a place of pilgrimage. In the year 2000, during the Great Jubilee, Pope John Paul II officially designated it as one of the five recognized Christian pilgrimage sites in Jordan.
Today, the cave is protected by a modern church that combines contemporary architecture with traditional local elements. At the heart of this structure is the sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Mountain, that shelters a figure of Mary venerated by many –Christians or not.
The present sanctuary, a work in constant expansion, is framed by the majestic Gilead Mountains –an ideal place for meditation, rest, and recollection.
Back in 1971, Father Youssef Nemat, a priest of the Latin Patriarchate, built a small stone cave for the statue of the Virgin. Since then, the place has been gradually growing to accommodate the rising number of pilgrims. Today the church is rather spacious, bright, and includes two galleries covered with icons of the mysteries of the Rosary –on the right, the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries; on the left, the Joyful and Luminous Mysteries.
The thorough, unreserved respect that Jordanians show this Marian shrine is clear evidence of the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect that characterize its society. This shrine is a place of interreligious unity and embodies the harmonious coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Jordan.
Every year, on the third Friday of June, the Latin Church in Jordan organizes a special day of pilgrimage to the shrine. This date is a unique opportunity to dive into the community life of the place, and to share with the faithful in a fervent atmosphere of peace.
For many, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mountain is a symbol of Christian history in the Holy Land, and a reminder that faith is a bond that transcends borders and time. In the galleries and icons of this shrine, the faithful find a space where their faith, history and culture intertwine, making Anjara another must-visit Jordanian destination.