(20 Jan 2012)
1. Wide Orthodox worshippers celebrating the Epiphany baptism ceremony near the River Jordan, bagpipers and drummers in procession
2. Wide soldier near giant cross on hill top
3. Wide of worshippers walking toward River Jordan
4. Various of Orthodox priests walking along
5. Mid officials standing in line
6. Various of priest performing ceremony
7. Cutaway worshippers
8. Wide Greek church at Baptism site.
9. Mid of Metropolitan Benedicts walking down the steps to River Jordan
10. Wide of priests performing ceremony at the banks of River Jordan
11. Mid shot of worshipper immersing herself in river during baptism ceremony
12. Wide of soldiers at the Israeli side, flags
13. Mid of ceremony, worshippers venerating cross held by priest
14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Father Ibrahim Dabbour:
"Jordan River is a holy river for all the nations and for all the Christians all over the world, so they can come here and to be blessed by its water, and our mission from here to say that we pray for peace in this area especially."
15. Wide of ceremony
16. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Sinan Azzo, Iraqi Orthodox living in Jordan:
"I wish safety and peace for all Iraqis, Christians and Muslims and I hope peace prevails in the whole world."
17. Mid shot of cross floating in River Jordan
STORYLINE:
Worshippers from Jordan's Orthodox Christian community celebrated their annual Epiphany ceremony on Friday near the River Jordan.
Friday's ceremony, attended by around 2-thousand Orthodox worshippers, took place at Al Mattal al-Tani on the east bank of the River Jordan, where Christians believe John the Baptist baptised Jesus Christ over two thousand years ago.
The Metropolitan Benedicts led an open air mass at the Baptism site.
Pilgrims also gathered for a similar ceremony on the west bank of the river.
Security was tight before the ceremony with police checks on vehicles.
Security forces kept a constant vigil during the baptism service.
Christians worldwide celebrate the feast of Epiphany as Jesus' revelation to the world as the son of God.
While Western Christians mark it as the day the biblical Magi are said to have arrived to view the baby Jesus, Orthodox Christians commemorate Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River.
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