Ronen Zvulun / Reuters
A Franciscan priest baptizes a child during a ceremony at the baptismal site known as Qasr el-Yahud, near the West Bank city of Jericho, Jan. 13. Hundreds of Christians gathered on Sunday on the banks of the Jordan River at the traditional site where it is believed John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
Christian pilgrims take part in a group baptism in the waters of the Jordan River at Yardenit in northern Israel, Oct. 3, 2012.
Uriel Sinai / Getty Images — An estimated 100,000 Christian worshippers make their pilgrimage to the Holy Land each year. One of the most sacred rituals is being immersed in the biblical river where, according to Christian beliefs, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.
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Christian pilgrims take part in a baptism in the waters of the Jordan River at Yardenit in northern Israel, Oct. 3.
A Christian pilgrim immerses himself in the waters of the Jordan River at Yardenit in northern Israel, Oct. 3.
Ahmad Gharabli / AFP - Getty Images
Christian pilgrims take part in a mass baptism ceremony at the Jordan River at Yardenit in northern Israel on Tuesday. According to the gospels Jesus Christ was baptized in the water of the Jordan River by John the Baptist.
Abir Sultan / EPA
US pilgrims in the Jordan River during a Baptism ceremony at the popular Baptism site at Yardenit, before the Jordan River exits into the Sea of Galilee, in northern Israel, on Tuesday. The site is a popular destination for Christians and Baptists who visit Israel and retrace the footsteps of Jesus Christ in the holy land.
Ahmad Gharabli / AFP - Getty Images
Christian pilgrims take part in a mass baptism ceremony at the Jordan River at Yardenit in northern Israel on Tuesday.
Gali Tibbon / AFP - Getty Images
Evangelical Christian pilgrims from Brazil take part in a mass baptism ceremony in the waters of the Jordan River at Yardenit in northern Israel on Oct. 15. According to the gospels, Jesus Christ was baptized in the water of the Jordan River by John the Baptist. More than 6000 Evangelical pilgrims arrived in Israel during the Jewish holiday of Sukkoth, or the Feast of Tabernacles, to show their support in the Jewish state.
Gali Tibbon / AFP - Getty Images
Evangelical Christian pilgrims from Brazil take part in a mass baptism ceremony in the waters of the Jordan River.
Gali Tibbon / AFP - Getty Images
Evangelical Christian pilgrims from Brazil take part in a mass baptism ceremony in the waters of the Jordan River.
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