The Miracle at the Jordan – Fr. John Meiu, Fr. Theologos

Does the miracle at the Jordan that takes place on Theophany truly exist? What is the Romanian presence at the Jordan? What should our position be regarding the issue of the new or old-style calendar?

The answers to these questions, as well as other topics, can be found in this video.

Enjoy!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Father, say a prayer!

Fr. J: O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life – come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. Amen.

Fr. T: Dear ones, we are here with Father John from Jerusalem, with whom we previously recorded an episode. You need to know that he is on the go but we couldn’t miss this opportunity. This podcast will likely air around Theophany, so we will discuss everything related to the Baptism of the Lord, particularly from the perspective of someone with extensive experience in the Holy Land and what the Baptism of the Lord means at the scene. Our first question for Father John, whom we love very much, is to share his insights directly from the source—not from hearsay. We’d like him to explain the well-known phenomenon of the Jordan River’s reversal during Theophany. Does this phenomenon truly occur? What happens, can you shed some light on it?

Fr. J: Lord help us, Father Theologos! I am delighted to reunite here in the garden of the Mother of God! We prepare for the significant feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Epiphany, or Theophany, a revelation of God where each of us Christians have to reconnect with God through fasting, confession, and Holy Communion. Indeed, I might say that it stands as the second greatest feast of Jerusalem. Why the second? Normally, the greatest feast is the Resurrection of the Lord, marked by the miracle of the Holy Light descending at the Lord’s tomb, in the Lord’s tomb. We discussed this in our first video. Normally, the second great feast would be the Nativity of the Lord.

Fr. T: Of course. Yes.

Fr. J: Which we celebrate in Jerusalem like on Mount Athos on January 7, with a beautiful service in Bethlehem at the birthplace of the Lord. However, in terms of procession, as a miracle, and the number of Christians, the Baptism of the Lord emerges as the second great feast of Jerusalem, following the Holy Light.

Fr. T: Oh, I didn’t know that.

Fr. J: And after that, the third great feast is the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. During the night, the Holy Liturgy is celebrated, and in the morning, after the Liturgy, many Christians rejoice in the cloud that envelops the peak of Mount Tabor, just as it once enveloped the holy apostles and from heaven, they heard a voice proclaiming: “This is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” At the Jordan, the voice of the Father is heard again when Jesus Christ enters the river to be baptized by John. Indeed, you asked me if this miracle exists.

The miracle of the Jordan turning back exists. The prophecies speak of this, during the readings from the Old Testament on the eve and day of Theophany, proclaiming, “The waters saw You and they were afraid,” they turned back. The moment Christ entered the Jordan, the river which flows down to the Dead Sea – the writings and accounts say that – the Jordan turned back upstream toward the Sea of Galilee where it stars.

I will also tell you the exact course of the Jordan. In the years I served alongside His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem, at the moment the cross is cast into the Jordan three times, and the Jordan is sanctified, many Christians, as evidenced by a video I have, observed the river’s current — typically strong in winter due to heavy rains in Israel — flowing toward the Dead Sea, leading the Jordan toward the Dead Sea – and indeed, I and the Christians who participated in this great feast could see how, after the blessing of the waters, large whirlpools are forming, reversing the current and it flowing upstream for a few moments.

Fr. T: Seriously? By itself, like that?

Fr. J: Yes, by itself.

Fr. T: Clearly, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. J: Of course, we shouldn’t seek these miracles – we’ve talked about it – to witness them physically. It is a proof, an assurance of God, of His presence through the Holy Light, through this moment of the Jordan turning back, or the cloud on Tabor. Certainly, they strengthen our faith. Yet we must emphasize that spiritual perception and you should know that the presence of the Holy Spirit is felt very strongly at the Jordan then.

Fr. T: Yes. It’s good you mentioned that. Fortunately, or unfortunately, there’s this tendency in the church to overemphasize miracles.

Fr. J: Yes, and especially in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, you all know that many videos circulate, including one that has been around for years. It shows the Stone of Anointing, the place where Christ was anointed with oils before being laid in the tomb. This ritual was inherited from the ancient Egyptians during Israel’s captivity in Egypt, the practice of anointing and embalming. And this Stone of Anointing is reddish in color. Christians constantly apply myrrh to this stone and the light hits it in a certain way, making it appear red. Many have filmed it, claiming to be blood on the Stone of Anointing, and these videos reach us in Jerusalem, for us to say if it is true or not. This is not true, in this case it is not true. It is merely the myrrh reflecting on the reddish marble, leading people into a frenzy over the supposed miracle in Jerusalem. No. There are many miracles, but we must approach them with caution.

Fr. T: Of course.

Fr. J: Even if we feel or experience something there, it is wise to talk to the fathers of the Holy Sepulcher and ask them if that is indeed real.

Fr. T: So, folks, seek information from credible sources. That’s why I have father John here, to share firsthand, especially from his spiritual experience, what happens and doesn’t happen there. The miracle at the Jordan is genuinely divine, while others are merely viral sensations on WhatsApp or, God knows, fakes. I firmly believe that we are in Orthodoxy for its therapy, for the experience of grace, and for our healing—not for the sake of miracles alone. We do not seek spectacle. And where does this miracle occur? What is the exact location? I understand there are two sites, is that correct?

Fr. J: Yes. The sources of the Jordan are at the base of Mount Hermon in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon. The spot where the Jordan springs forth is truly remarkable. Water bursts forth from the base of the mountain with great force.

Fr. T: I didn’t know that.

Fr. J: There are indeed two springs. In Aramaic, they are called Iar Den, and these two sources unite as if reflecting the dual nature of Jesus Christ—human and divine—flowing forth in beautiful, powerful waterfalls from Mount Hermon.

Fr. T: So a substantial flow.

Fr. J: A very substantial flow, especially now in winter. The water is pure and excellent for drinking, much like the waters of the Holy Mountain, and it feeds into the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is nourished by the Jordan River. There are other springs in the Sea of Galilee because it’s worth noting that the Sea of Galilee is not a saltwater sea but a freshwater lake. From the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan continues on its journey toward the Dead Sea. Of course, this site of the Lord’s Baptism, near Jericho – as the writings say – is a valley where the water is murky, rich in sand due to the surrounding desert. If we travel back thousands of years, we find the Israelites emerging from Egyptian bondage. Moses remained on Mount Nebo in Jordan, denied by God the blessing to enter the Promised Land, only able to behold it.

When the Israelites first glimpsed the Promised Land, the impact had to be very profound. After wandering for forty years through the desert, from Egypt to that place, they had to feel that there was a natural abundance in that place. At the time when they saw the Promised Land from this Mount Nebo, it was a forest filled with animals, as the Jordan River was a delta in that place, nourishing the Jericho region. And it was a forest of cedars, with towering trees, with a lot of vegetation and a lot of animals.

Fr. T: So truly a place flowing with milk and honey.

Fr. J: So that’s exactly how it looked then – milk and honey in this area, being made fertile by the river. In fact, without the Jordan River, this area would have been uninviting—a mere wasteland devoid of water. Without fresh water you couldn’t do anything in this area, the Promised Land would not exist.

Fr. T: I am utterly surprised by this. Why? Because I have seen the Jordan, and right now, you could cross it on foot, I mean, it is…

Fr. J: The river is about 20 meters wide and 1.5 to 2 meters deep. Of course, if it rains in this area during this time of year, the flow increases. But we must keep in mind that during the time of the Savior, the flow was much higher. Today, much of this fresh water is used for irrigation. And Israel – they draw fresh water through pipes and use it for irrigation, Jordan too. The Jordan serves as the boundary between the two countries, and both utilize this water for irrigation and for the greenhouses they have built along its banks. There is, of course, a stream that flows into the Dead Sea, but it does not raise its water level because, in the summer, the fresh water evaporates quickly due to the intense heat in this area. Consider that summer temperatures at the Jordan reach 50°C during the day.

From an archaeological perspective, we know that the original site of the Lord’s Baptism is slightly within present-day Jordan. Remains of a church built by Empress Helen, a Byzantine church, have been found there, on the spot where Christ was baptized. However, this site is very close to the current course of the Jordan. Why do I say this? Because thousands of years ago, this area was a delta in a desert of sand. The Jordan River has changed frequently and easily, especially during floods. Two thousand years ago, during the time of the Savior, the Jordan flowed slightly toward what is now Jordan. The baptism likely occurred there, not in present-day Israel. But it is that area, and we sanctify the Jordan, remembering symbolically and spiritually that Christ entered these waters. Just as the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, with countless holy sacrifices on holy altars not only in Jerusalem or on Zion where the Last Supper took place. The same here, at the Jordan. Even if there is a difference of a few hundred meters or kilometers between where we sanctify the Jordan today and where it flowed two millennia ago.

Fr. T: Indeed, and we see that God listens and validates us…

Fr. J: And He shows mercy, of course. And it is truly a beautiful celebration, with many pilgrims arriving from across the Orthodox world.

Fr. T: Are baptisms performed there today?

Fr. J: Yes, I’ve performed baptisms myself. Not only do we enter the Jordan River, sanctifying it and blessing Christians with its water, we sing the chant of the Lord’s Baptism, but we’ve had baptisms there by the river just like we had when we were babies.

Fr. T: Glory to God!

Fr. J: We are even preparing to baptize a young man who studies in Israel. He is half Russian, half Jewish, and he wishes to become a Christian because he loves Jesus Christ. This was his strongest argument for wanting to embrace Christianity. Right when I return to Jerusalem, we will perform his baptism in the Jordan River. Meaning, with all that baptism means: exorcisms, triple immersion in the Jordan river, anointing with the Holy and Great Chrism, and Holy Communion.

Fr. T: Glory to God! You will be like Saint John the Baptist.

Fr. J: Saint John the Baptist lived in this rugged area of the Jordan, where he baptized Jesus Christ.

Fr. T: He’s your patron saint, isn’t he?

Fr. J: My patron saint because I was tonsured on January 7, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, and I know that he’s your patron saint too because you resemble him a bit, like that, [being] tougher.

Fr. T: A little bit because I also have Saint John the Theologian. Yes, we need to be a little bit… Do you feel the grace of Saint John the Baptist there? And his presence?

Fr. Very much so! [The presence] of Saint John the Baptist, but consider that in this valley of the Jordan – the border between Israel and Jordan today – thousands of saints lived.

Fr. T: Yes!

Fr. J: Through this place, the people of Israel passed, entering with the Ark of the Covenant, coming from Egyptian bondage and heading towards Jerusalem, the first time they set it up at Shiloh somewhere near Jerusalem.

Fr. T: Did they pass through there?

Fr. J: They passed through the Valley of the Hozeva and crossed the Jordan right at the spot we are sanctifying today. The waters separated as the Ark of the Covenant crossed the Jordan. It was a foreshadowing of what was to happen — Christ entering the waters of the Jordan. Also from there, Elijah was taken up to heaven in his chariot of fire, and Elisha, with Elijah’s mantle, parted the waters of the Jordan as he crossed into the wilderness.

Fr. T: It seems that place is…

Fr. J: It’s the same place where Naaman the Syrian was healed by dipping seven times in the Jordan.

Fr. T: Glory to God! So much holiness, great holiness!

Fr. J: Obeying Elisha to enter the Jordan in order to be cured of leprosy. It was also there that Mary of Egypt crossed the Jordan, to repent for her sins in the wilderness. Our patron saint, John the Baptist, lived there too. And so did our patron saint, John Jacob the Hosevite, our Romanian contemporary saint whose whole relics are in the Monastery of Hozeva. He was the abbot of our Romanian church by the banks of the Jordan.

Fr. T: Please, tell us!

Fr. J: Yes, we have three churches in Jerusalem, as I mentioned in the previous video. One is the Romanian Patriarchate’s representation at the holy sites in Jerusalem. The Romanian establishment in Jericho, founded in 2000, marks a newer addition. That year, all Orthodox patriarchs gathered in Bethlehem to concelebrate 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ. That’s when the foundation stone for the Romanian Jericho establishment was laid. The two churches—the one at the Jordan and the one at Jerusalem—were both established in 1935 when their foundations were laid. So, we have these three churches. In two of them the Divine Liturgy is served daily, and we hope to restore the third, the Romanian Hermitage at the Jordan, located on the Israeli bank where about eight Christian monasteries stand. Unfortunately, all were closed in 1967 during the Six-Day War between the Arab coalition and Israel. Mines and bombs were planted throughout the Jordan Valley, including in the walls of the monasteries, to prevent any enemy from entering Israel.

For 50 years, access to that area was impossible. In recent years, this area has been cleared of mines, and we are set to take over the monastery for renovation, rebuilding it so that the flame is lit there too, a Romanian vigil lamp for the Romanian people. It is a profound blessing for us, as Romanians, to have this church on the shore of the Jordan River, at the very place where John the Baptist lived, where the Lord was baptized, and where a saint served as abbot for nearly six years. Our saint, John Jacob of Hozeva, served as abbot there for nearly six years.

Fr. T: One of the last abbots, since you mentioned there was a period when it was closed.

Fr. J: Yes, he was abbot there right around the 1950s.

Fr. T: Glory to God! I didn’t know that…

Fr. J: There is a good seed in this area, as I said, because there is a lot of holiness in this area. There were many monasteries in the early centuries of Christianity and thousands of monks lived there, also many hermits. They were all killed, and all the churches and monasteries were destroyed during the first Persian invasion in 614. The second invasion in 620 obliterated what little remained from the first.

Fr. T: I understand that only the Church of Bethlehem remained.

Fr. J: It is the sole church built by Empress Helen. Your mention of Bethlehem is timely as we prepare for the Nativity of the Lord. The only church built by Empress Helen that is still standing, she wanted to build churches in all the places where Jesus passed. It is the one in Bethlehem, which is also a UNESCO World heritage site. It is 1,700 years old. While Emperor Justinian the Great made some improvements the original structure was entirely built by Empress Helen. Tradition holds that when the Persians entered on horseback — an act intended to desecrate churches and altars — they found exquisite mosaics on the walls, mosaics which were recently uncovered when the church was rebuilt. This Byzantine mosaic depicts the Magi presenting gifts to baby Jesus, as recounted in the Gospels and they asked, “Who are these figures dressed in the garments of our ancestors?” The Christians replied, “They are your forebearers, who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The star brought them.” Astonished, the Persians declared, “Interesting, we shall leave this church intact.” Thus, it was spared from destruction, that being the argument.

Fr. T: Glory to God! God’s Providence.

Fr. J: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was destroyed by the Persians in 614. What stands now was built by Empress Melisende, the Crusader Empress, in 1114.

Fr. T: Really? So it’s not from the Byzantine period?

Fr. J: No. Inside, the Holy Sepulchre showcases a blend of architectural styles. Gothic, Byzantine, Armenian, these reflect the four major Christian confessions that serve there: Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Armenians, and Copts — the Christians from Alexandria — who have a small altar behind the Holy Sepulcher.

Fr. T: I see, and that is reflected. You mentioned that you celebrate the Nativity on January 7 like we do. But the Nativity of the Lord is on December 25, how is that?

Fr. J: It is actually the same date. The difference lies in the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Many Christians don’t grasp why we celebrate, for example, the Nativity of the Lord twice. I myself will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord in Romania on December 25 and then return to Jerusalem, where we prepare for the Nativity in Bethlehem. Christ was born only once, obviously. He rose only once. We see that the calendar is also common for the countries that have this change from the old calendar to the new calendar. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, Greece, and Romania adhere to the new calendar, while Russia, Mount Athos, Jerusalem, and Serbia follow the old. Yet, we all share the Resurrection of Christ.

The Triodion and Pentecostarion were kept to show those who seek to divide the true faith and the unity of the Church, that Christ rose once. Regarding the Nativity, as I was saying, Christians on the new calendar celebrate it on December 25, while those on the old on January 7. But fundamentally, it is the same date. Only a service book, the Menaion, differs in which we celebrate the day and the saint. Consider Mount Athos, which follows the old calendar but remains under the canonical authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, who has the new calendar.

Fr. T: Yes, and he is our direct bishop.

Fr. J: Indeed, he is the direct bishop, and he shows no difference, no hatred, or tearing, schism — like Peter of Alexandria, who saw the Savior with the torn shirt. We have not torn anything because we have preserved unity through the ordination of bishops, tracing back to the apostles.

Fr. T: Of course.

Fr. J: Or from the apostles onwards. In fact, this is what connects us and a prime example is Mount Athos, which has preserved the old calendar yet remains under the canonical authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. They, having many churches worldwide, follow the new calendar. And they demonstrate unity.

Fr. T: Yes, exactly.

Fr. J: And the obedience, which is essential in the Church.

Fr. T: Essential, and I believe this is the great issue with the calendar, brethren. It’s not about thirteen days plus or minus, it’s about using this astronomical matter [as an excuse] to break away from obedience and to fracture the Church. Brethren, do not fracture the Church! Don’t break the Church!

I want to tell you an incident with Saint Paisios the Hagiorite. There was a man who wanted to break away from the Church’s authority, to rebel against his lawful bishop. He was drawn to the Old Calendarists and carried two books in his pockets: one from his bishop, from the Metropolis he belonged to, and another from the Old Calendarists, who convinced him to leave the unity of the Church. The people from the metropolis warned him, saying, “Do not do this; it is wrong,” but he was resolute in his belief. He decided, “I will go to Mount Athos and ask Father Paisios — St. Paisios — because he will tell me exactly [what to do].” He hoped that, since St. Paisios was on the old calendar, the saint would validate him, and he would prove the others wrong. He came to Mount Athos, he entered St. Paisios’ cell and without even stating his name or opening his mouth, St. Paisios said, “This book (from the metropolis) is good; the other one, burn it. Go! Leave!” So I want to say that the Holy Spirit spoke through St. Paisios, emphasizing that the unity of the Church must come first; there is no alternative.

Fr. J: It is a very good argument because we all love St. Paisios the Hagiorite. And there is another similar, true story, with Elder Joseph the Hesychast, Saint Joseph the Hesychast. He faced great turmoil when the calendar changed. Many disciples sought his counsel, yet he was uncertain whether to follow the new calendar or not.

Fr. T: To go with the monasteries [on the new calendar], for he was at the cells and there were many zealots there at the cells.

Fr. J: And he heard a voice in his heart that told him, “Obey Constantinople!”

Fr. T: Exactly. “My Church is at Constantinople.” It was the Mother of God. Also St. Ephraim the Katounakiotis was in a difficult situation because his abbot, a simple man suffering from nervous disorders — Father Nicephorus — said, “Well, I have this calendar and I stick to it and that’s that.” And St. Ephraim saw something like an air that hindered grace. During every Liturgy, he witnessed the descent of grace upon the Holy Gifts, yet he saw this air that would obstruct. Only through many tears could he serve the Divine Liturgy and witness the transformation of the Gifts. And after he came with the Church, with Constantinople, so with the lawful bishop of the place, it was gone.

Struggling internally with this conflict, he had a vision. He stood on a high cliff by the sea when a piece of cliff broke away and fell into the sea. With a supernatural leap he jumped from the falling cliff that was crashing into the roaring waves, and landed safely on the solid cliff, free from danger. And he questioned, “What is this?” Then he truly heard the voice of the Mother of God, grace saying, “This is the Church; those who broke away are the old calendarists.”

Fr. J: We know, father, that God has often made concessions to us, people.

Fr. T: Yes, exactly.

Fr. J: To show His love for us. The same happened with the calendar. First of all, it was a matter of astronomy, then politics have possibly played a role in this distinction. Yet, Christ has revealed the right path through the wonderful saints contemporary with us.

Fr. T: Of course.

Fr. J: Because contemporary saints were needed to demonstrate this. And in the Church, obedience is essential, father, because we cannot hold on to the others. In the deeply secularized society we are now fully experiencing, where, as we were discussing earlier, there is the problem of things like TikTok which brainwashes our youth, destroys their brains and so on, obedience is very important. Education in the family, in the Church, catechization of young people – these are essential things.

Fr. T: Indeed, because loneliness is a foretaste of hell.

Fr. J: Loneliness comes from the devil. And young people ask us, it comes to my mind now, “Well, yes, but doesn’t ‘monk’ mean being alone? Because you’ve distanced yourself from the world, father,” they say to me. I haven’t even distanced myself as I live in the heart of Bucharest, in the center of Jerusalem, I am anything by distanced. True, I don’t have a family, but, I have a greater family than my spiritual children, because they are my family.

Fr. T: That’s right.

Fr. J: The spiritual family.

Fr. T: And you are united with all through God.

Fr. J: The term “monk” – “monachos” in Greek – means alone, but alone with God. A person can never truly be alone. There’s no such thing. You are either with God or with the devil.

Fr. T: Of course.

Fr. J: What’s happening in society today shows that the devil is taking a heavy toll by destroying our youth. I urge young parents to remember how their grandparents and parents raised them. They should raise their children the same in the fear of God and instill a love for the traditions we still have in Romania.

Fr. T: Yes… Glory to the Lord!

Fr. J: We have these traditions even more than the Greeks do.

Fr. T: Indeed, much more, yes.

Fr. J: Not to mention the Israelis. They are quite secularized.

Fr. T: Let’s remain optimistic!

Fr. J: We are, but we must also be realistic.

Fr. T: Yes, that’s right, a realistic optimism.

Fr. J: That’s what our beloved father, His Eminence Justinian of Maramureș — the voivode of Maramureș — used to say, “Father John, neither optimists nor pessimists. Realists.”

Fr. T: So help us God! Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us! Amen.

Online commemoration lists and donations

May the Lord help us!

Online Commemoration Lists and Donations

May the Lord help us!

If you have a bank card and wish to send commemoration lists and donations online using your card, and/or to support our philanthropic activity, including this site, please fill out the form below to make a small donation. The form is secure – we use Stripe for payment processing – a world leader in this field. We do not collect your personal data.

If you do not have a card, or do not wish to use it, visit the webpage for Online Donations and Commemoration Lists.

We will pray for your loved ones! (Please do not include inessential details like wishes, degree of kinship, introductions etc. JUST the name!)

Especially for recurring commemoration lists, we ask that you please keep them to under 20 names long. If you include a member of the family, we add “and for their families.”