Each year, thousands of Christian pilgrims travel to Al-Maghtas, the site recognized as the place where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, located on the banks of the Jordan River, is a center of devotion where believers from around the world come to renew their baptismal vows and participate in immersion ceremonies - because that is what Al-Maghtas literally means: “immersion.”

It is common to see pilgrims collecting water from the river in small bottles. They take the water back to their home countries. The custom is far from new. According to the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land, pilgrims have been doing this since the early Middle Ages –as early as the 6th century A.D., according to historical sources. Today, water from the Jordan can be found in souvenir shops throughout the region. You can even buy it online, complete with a certificate of authenticity.

But what is it about this water that makes it so popular?

(Andrea Bocelli visits Bethany Beyond the Jordan)

Blessed water

The Jordan River is considered a particularly holy place in several religious traditions. Its importance lies not only in its repeated mention in the Bible, but also in its deep spiritual significance for millions of believers around the world. For many, the river’s waters are associated with healing, both physical and spiritual –as in the case of the biblical Naaman the Syrian, who was healed by the prophet Elisha.

For Christians, the river is the site of the baptism of Jesus of Nazareth by John the Baptist, as described in the four Gospels. This act marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Christians have also seen this event as a special manifestation of the Holy Trinity, as their scriptures claim that the Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father was heard from above.

(Bethany Beyond the Jordan)

This event gave the river a special status among Christians, making it a symbol of spiritual cleansing and forgiveness of sins. From that moment on, the waters of the Jordan are considered eternally blessed. The waters of this river are the only ones in the world that do not need to be blessed by a priest to be used in baptisms and other sacraments and liturgical uses.

In Spain, it has been customary to give a small bottle of water for the baptism of a newborn child since at least the reign of Isabel II (19th century). At that time, the tradition was established that the babies of the royal house should be baptized with water brought from the Jordan River. Even today, the princes and children of the royal family follow this custom, which has become popular among families of all social classes.

For Christians, being baptized or renewing baptismal promises in the Jordan River has a special meaning as a way of physically connecting with the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Understandably, bringing water from the Jordan River for a baby’s baptism is a much appreciated gesture among family and friends.

The Jordan River is also mentioned in several Christian hymns and prayers, where its image is evoked as a unique source of healing and renewal. For many, the waters of the Jordan are seen as a special vehicle of God’s grace –a medium through which divinity can almost be touched.

Much more than a watercourse, the Jordan is a central symbol of the Christian faith, a place of divine encounter and a constant reminder of the power of baptism and the spiritual renewal it brings. In this river, Christians of all denominations and traditions find a source of inspiration that continues to flow into their spiritual lives as it has for the past two thousand years.