The Dead Sea is the Judean desert.

The road to the Dead Sea runs through the Judean desert. The Judean desert belongs to that unique type of desert that does not lie on the line of the world's deserts, that is, on the 30th parallel. The Judean Desert is the lowest point in the world, 417 meters below sea level. Sometimes, this desert is called “desert in the shadow of rain”. Rain does not spill over it due to its very low location, thereby turning this area into an arid and difficult to survive terrain. However, this fact does not prevent, but even contributes to the transformation of the Judean desert into a place of rapid development of the monastic movement. The absence of forests leaves a person open to Heaven, distance from worldly bustle disposes to prayer, and open horizons set up prophecies about the future.

The Judean desert is particularly sanctified because it is under the shadow of Holy Jerusalem. Crowds of pilgrims crossed the Judean Desert, heading to the Jerusalem Temple to offer their sacrifice to God. The most famous pilgrim was Jesus Christ.

Monastery of George Hozevita.

We turn off the road leading to the Dead Sea to see the amazing and beautiful monastery of George Hozevita. It is located on a mountainside in the Celt Gorge. The monastery began its existence with caves, hermits settled in natural grottoes and led a solitary lifestyle in prayer and repentance. In one of these caves Ilya the Prophet once lived here. I will tell you about the existing types of monastic residence, as well as about the shrines that are hidden in this monastery.

Monastery of St. Gerasim of Jordan

Near the Jordan River, there John the Baptist baptized a multitude of people to prepare for the meeting of the Messiah and baptize the Lord himself. The monastery has existed since Byzantine times. It is named after St. Gerasimos, one of the founders of monastic life in the Judean desert. Here the Holy Family stopped on their way from Herod to Egypt. The monastery remembers St. Zosimus and his meeting with Mary of Egypt, here comes to life the attachment of the lion and donkey of St. Gerasimos.

We will look at two levels of the church at the monastery of St. Gerasimus: on the upper floor - the church of St. Gerasimus, and in the lower, in Krypt - the Cave of the Sagrada Familia. In the vestibule of the monks who lived in the monastery. In the Church of the Sagrada Familia, the famous miraculous icon of the Virgin Mammal.

Qasar el-Yahud or Wifawara.

Here the Jewish people crossed the Jordan on their way to the Promised Land from Egyptian slavery. Here the prophet Elisha tested the divine power inherited from Elijah the prophet. And here John baptized the Lord:

And having been baptized, Jesus immediately came out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw John the Spirit of God, who came down like a dove, and descended upon him.
And behold, a voice from heaven says: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3, 16,17

Masada.

I recommend visiting this park to experience the atmosphere of the Second Temple period. The fortress of Masada was built on the remains of the fortress of the Hasmonean kings Herod the Great. The one who built the port city of Caesarea rebuilt the Temple Mount and the Temple itself, the one who is credited with beating infants.

The fortress of Masada is associated with the heroic and at the same time tragic events of the period of the Great Jewish Revolt, Masada fell last in the chain of centers of rebellion suppressed by the Romans. We will come into contact with the great page of Jewish history connected with the destruction of the Jewish Temple and the prophecies of the prophets.

Then we will go to the beach of the Dead Sea. This is a unique place on planet Earth! The lowest and saltiest lake in the world is the Dead Sea. This is the pearl of the Judean Desert, which frames the desert from the east, and from the west this small strip of 20 kilometers. Since ancient times, people have noticed that the waters of the Dead Sea have healing properties. It is no coincidence that now there is a whole network of hotels and water hospitals.

On this multi-colored journey, you need to bring swimsuits for the beach and for dipping into the waters of the Jordan, the ladies need to take a scarf to visit the monastery. And everyone, everyone, everyone in a good mood!

• Guide services.

Not included transport and tickets for objects