Pilgrimage: Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Cross Over To Israel

Over 340 Nigerian pilgrims performing the ongoing 2023 pilgrimage exercise left Jordan on Sunday to continue their Easter’s ritual in Israel.

The pilgrims on arrival at the Jordan-Israel border, were moved to some Holy sites, including the Mountain of Temptation, located in Jericho, where Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days and nights.

Jericho played an important role during the wilderness journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canan, the Promised Land. It was during the encampment of the Israelites at Nebo that Moses sent 12 spies to survey the land of Canan for her eventual conquering.

According to a press statement signed by Mr Pam Ayuba, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Affairs to the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, the pilgrims were also taken to the oldest sycamore tree where Zacheus, the tax collector, climbed to see Jesus Christ.

The Christian pilgrims from the FCT, Imo, Bayelsa, Lagos, and Cross Rivers States also visited some caves around the Dead Sea, which the disciples of Jesus Christ used as secret prayer cells.

The caves provided shelter and served as revival halls for the disciples following intense persecution at the time from Roman-appointed rulers, who demanded the disciples be killed.

They were also taken to Nazareth, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, a village in Bethlehem of Judea. Nazareth is a significant place in biblical history as it was where it marked the beginning of the history that was later to change and affect all generations of the world.

Meanwhile, the remaining Nigerian pilgrims in Jordan, about 20 of them, visited the Dead Sea and had a glimpse at Jericho where the children of Israel passed the route to the Promise Land.

The statement added that all sites visited both in Jordan and Israel, the Pilgrims prayed for the peace of the country and asked God to shower mercy on Nigeria, especially their leaders, to do the will of God.