From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
No fewer than 350 pilgrims from FCT, Lagos, Bayelsa, Imo, and Cross Rivers states, have begun pilgrimage exercise in holy sites in Jordan.
The Pilgrimage exercise is the fourth batch of the 2023 Easter pilgrimage in Jordan which was halted as a result of the rise in the foreign exchange rate in April.
Ayuba Pam, media aide to the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), in a statement, Saturday, said the Pilgrims were received by officials of Tabar Tours and Hajjat Tours and Travel, on arrival at the Amman International Airport, Jordan.
He said that on the first day of the tour, pilgrims were taken to River Jabok where Jacob wrestled with the Lord demanding to be blessed or he would not leave Him, and God blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel, marking the total transformation of the Israelites from there forward.
Pam also said the next point of the visit was at Um Qais, Gedara, an ancient Greco-Roman city of Decarpolis a borderline between Jordan and Syria where Jesus Christ healed two young men who were possessed by demons.
He said that, according to the Bible account, as recorded in Mark 5:7, the demons were cast out into a swine of pigs and died thereafter at a river in the valley of Gedara.
He said the Pilgrims were also taken to Tall Mar Elias, believed to be former Tishbi, close to the ruins of a village known as Listib said to be associated with the birth place of the Prophet Elija.
He said that, according to the biblical history of the people of the Ancient Near East,(ANE), Elija was a native of Gilias in Transjordan as recorded in the book of 2 Kings 17:1, and recent archaeological discoveries were said to have substantiated the theory following the two churches that were built on the Tall (Hilltop) at the end of the Byzantine era.
He also stated that Jesus was said to have passed through the trade route with His disciples to Syria and adjoining villages to preach the gospel.
However, in all the sites visited, Nigerian Christians prayed for continued unity of the country seeking the Face of God for Nigeria. “They prayed for peace and development of the land, and that governments at all levels should fear God and deliver dividends of democracy and reduced poverty.
“Prayers were also offered for the sick and the remaining electoral cases at the various election petition tribunals nationwide,” he said.
Pam confirmed that Pilgrims would continue to visits other holy sites including Mount Nebo and Mukawir as part of the pilgrimage.