The Anglican Episcopal Church holds a second pilgrimage to the Jordan River, this time on the Western Bank of the river.

His Grace Bishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, presided over a Solemn Eucharist at the Western Bank of the Jordan River, in a Spirit-filled atmosphere, on Sunday, February 2nd, 2023. The Eucharist was attended by the clergy and parishioners from Jerusalem and the West Bank, represented by Ramallah, Birzeit, Nablus and Zababdeh. Archbishop Naoum welcomed all present and thanked them for joining in this pilgrimage.

In his sermon, Bishop Naoum alluded to the fact that not all the parishes in the Diocese follow the same calendar, and in his sermon, he brought together texts from the readings of both Sundays; the Gospel of the Temptation, and the Gospel of the Transfiguration, and the Baptism. Using the theme of Jesus being the Son of God to connect them; the voice from Heaven proclaiming “this is my Son,” and the tempter asking Jesus: “if you are the Son of God…”

On temptation, he said: “God allows us to be tempted on two things: things we hold dear, and things we do not have. This is similar to the temptation of Jesus. The devil tempted him because he is the Son of God, and is capable of doing all things, and on his need for food when he fasted for forty days and forty nights.”

At the end of the pilgrimage, all present expressed how much they enjoyed the pilgrimage which was filled with the spirit of love, joy, and fellowship.