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Troubled Jordan River continues to attract millions of Christian pilgrims

Despite activists' warnings about pollution -- including untreated sewage -- the faithful dip in the waters at the West Bank site where John the Baptist is believed to have baptized Jesus.

A Christian Orthodox worshiper immerses herself in a container filled with water from the Jordan River during Orthodox Epiphany celebrations at the Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site in the West Bank. Environmentalists say the once-mighty river is now little more than a polluted stream into which sewage flows directly and indirectly. Israeli authorites dispute such claims about the water at Qasr al-Yahud, the site where, according to tradition, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.

A Christian Orthodox worshiper immerses herself in a container filled with water from the Jordan River during Orthodox Epiphany celebrations at the Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site in the West Bank. Environmentalists say the once-mighty river is now little more than a polluted stream into which sewage flows directly and indirectly. Israeli authorites dispute such claims about the water at Qasr al-Yahud, the site where, according to tradition, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.

Menahem Kahana-AFP/Getty Images

A Russian Christian pilgrim emerges from a protected space on the Israeli bank of the Jordan River as another pilgrim prays during a ritual at the Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site. Environmentalists worried about pollution are calling for baptism to be banned at the site.

A Russian Christian pilgrim emerges from a protected space on the Israeli bank of the Jordan River as another pilgrim prays during a ritual at the Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site. Environmentalists worried about pollution are calling for baptism to be banned at the site.

Marco Longari-AFP/Getty Images

An Orthodox Christian pilgrim immerses herself in a tub of water taken from the Jordan River after it was blessed during a baptism ceremony. The Jordan is a major draw for the more than 2 million Christians who visit Israel each year.

An Orthodox Christian pilgrim immerses herself in a tub of water taken from the Jordan River after it was blessed during a baptism ceremony. The Jordan is a major draw for the more than 2 million Christians who visit Israel each year.

Bernat Armangue-AP

Christian pilgrims baptize themselves in the waters of the Jordan River at Yardenit, near the Sea of Galilee and many miles north of Qasr al-Yahud. For many Christians who make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the highlight is being baptized in the Jordan River.

Christian pilgrims baptize themselves in the waters of the Jordan River at Yardenit, near the Sea of Galilee and many miles north of Qasr al-Yahud. For many Christians who make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the highlight is being baptized in the Jordan River.

David Silverman-Getty Images

Christian pilgrims from Brazil embrace during a group baptism in the Jordan River at Yardenit, in northern Israel.

Christian pilgrims from Brazil embrace during a group baptism in the Jordan River at Yardenit, in northern Israel.

David Silverman-Getty Images

Brazilian evangelists gather in prayer during a mass baptism at Yardenit.

Brazilian evangelists gather in prayer during a mass baptism at Yardenit.

David Silverman-Getty Images

Evangelical Christian pilgrims from Brazil take part in a mass baptism ceremony at Yardenit.

Evangelical Christian pilgrims from Brazil take part in a mass baptism ceremony at Yardenit.

Gali Tibbon-AFP/Getty Images

Brazilian evangelists gather in prayer during a mass baptism at Yardenit.

Brazilian evangelists gather in prayer during a mass baptism at Yardenit.

Menahem Kahana-AFP/Getty Images

A Christian Orthodox priest performs a baptism.
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The head of Israel's environmental monitoring said he is so confident in the water quality, he lets his infant grandson play in the river.

A Christian Orthodox priest performs a baptism.

The head of Israel's environmental monitoring said he is so confident in the water quality, he lets his infant grandson play in the river.

Bernat Armangue-AP

Gallery Credits:
Text Editor Milos Balac

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This Story A sacred but sullied spot? Article \| QASR AL-YAHUD, WEST BANK -- Environmentalists claim that the hallowed spot along the Jordan River where Christians believe John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ has become too filthy for human use. Troubled Jordan River continues to attract millions of Christian pilgrims		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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