The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ
Laura (Hermit Cells)
Not far from Tell al-Kharrar, at a distance of 300m to the west on the southern edge of Wadi al-Kharrar, some architectural remains were discovered. They consist of a small structure with foundations built from local fieldstones and upper courses built from mud bricks. Wooden beams were fixed to roof the structure that evidently was used by monks as living and prayer quarters, and for offering necessary services to the pilgrims visiting the site. Such facilities formed a Laura, or a monastery comprised of many individual hermit cells in a defined area.
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In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." ... People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Luke 3:1, 5-6)
