Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - November, 2005

In search of the foot prints of the Redeemer

By Jose Kurian Puliyeril

In Jordan

23rd June 2005 was a day of blessedness for a few of us. It was the first day of the accomplishment of a long cherished dream of the few and the first day that showered great satisfaction to a small group of people who had longed for the same fortune since so many years. Accordingly those who assembled at St. George Cathedral at 3.45 am were of different ages from seven to seventy, and they belonged to different walks of life including students and housewives. Rev. Fr. M.S. Skariah, great Theologian, Scholar, true devotee and a philanthropist, who was on his way to Delhi Orthodox Centre upon transfer after 3 years precious and valued service at Abu Dhabi was also there in the team of twenty nine pilgrims. Soon after prayers at the Church, we started our journey in a bus, to Dubai Airport. Very Rev Sleeba Kattumangattu Cor- Episcopa, the organizer and co-ordinater of the pilgrimage and owner of Royal Omania tours and travels received all of us very warmly, on arrival at the Airport. The presence as well as the guidance and leadership with warm regards, rendered by Very Rev. Cor- Episcopa was a real blessing throughout the pilgrimage. The Emirates flight, which started from Dubai International Air Port at 7.30 AM, reached Queen Alia International Air Port, Amman at 10 AM (local time.) A warm reception was offered to all of us by the staff of Royal Omania Tours and Travels on our arrival in the Capital city of Jordan. As soon as they arranged our entry visas in our Passports, we came out of the Air Port and boarded a Luxury Coach, which was in fact waiting for us. It was a great blessing for us to have Mr. Basel (A Jordanian Christian) as our guide, who is a real veteran in the knowledge of Holy Bible, World History and humanities. We were moving ahead to Madaba, a place of Biblical importance, through the Kings High way to have more scenic views than the Air Port Road. The trip through these both ways would take 40 minutes drive from the Capital city of Kingdom of Jordan. Before telling anything about the historically important Madaba, let us have a short look at the history of Jordan. 

Jordan Now and Then

The history of Jordan goes back to Prophet Abraham and his nephew Lot. Moab and Ben Ammi were the sons of Lot, born in his own daughters. (See Genesis 10:17-28) The literal meaning of both names is the son of (maternal grand) father. Their descendants are known as Moabites and Ammonites. The early inhabitants of Jordan were the Moabites, Ammonites and Edo mites. Edo mites were the descendants of Esau, son of Isaac. (See Deuteronomy 2: 9-22) The vast fields, which were fertile, due to the presence of the River Jordan were shared by these three tribes. In course of time, there were fights and attacks among these three tribes and also with the other neighbors, for boundary bargains, disputes, and at times they had resulted in the lasting rivalry. In AD 106, all these places were taken under control and custody of the Roman Government. During those days Jordan remained as a key post in the Arabian Province under the Roman regime. By the 2nd Century, Christianity flourished here and the number of Christian faithful increased tremendously. No sooner the Romans started the persecutions against the Christian faith and faithful, the blood of martyrs served as good manure for the deep rooting of the Christian religion. The good will and the courage of the faithful was so strong and staunch. Emperor Diocletian was the one who was notorious for the cruelest persecutions. The fate of the country as well as the natives was transformed wonderfully when Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity and declared Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. Immediately, the people enjoyed more freedom of religion. Many Byzantine Churches arose in every nook and corner of the country. These conditions remained the same in the 6th to the 8th centuries. The outlook of the country itself was changed a lot. A number of Dioceses and Church centers were established across the country. The Scholars and Historians do consider the era as a golden time of history for many reasons. During this period only, the ‘Floor Mosaic’, a specific and unique art of this country, which has gained international reputation and fame, was developed and established in Jordan. 

As in the case of many other world nations, there were foreign aggressions and dominations here too. The British Government was the last foreign power that had dominated Jordan. Jordan attained independence from the British regime on 25th May 1946. The Royal family which governs the country from the very day of independence till date arranges all possible means for the progress and the steady growth of the country. The ruler holds the position of the President of the nation. A twin house parliament, having 126 members totally, is dedicated to assist the President in all steps of development and progress. The old Jordan city that retains the pomp and proud and the new Jordan city with most modern amenities and facilities attracts the visitors equally. 

Madaba Cty - The Cradle of Mosaic flooring Art

In Jordan there are a lot of mountains and almost all these mountains are having the rock, which is well known in neighboring countries as ‘Jordan Marble’. These rocks are ideal for construction works, as they have got its own unique beauty and soft surface. These rocks are being exported to the neighboring countries. Different colored rocks are also available here. The colored rocks are broken as very small pieces, before they are prepared to be used to form the art work. The art work with the rock pieces is a highly qualified task, which needs a lot of patience, talents and great care for the proper arrangement. Certain works needed months and years together for the completion. Madaba is the cradle of the very rare and unusual art work which flourished in the fifth century AD. The term Madaba owes it origin to Aramic language and literally it means the juice of the fruits. If one spends one and a half to two hours, he/she could visit all centers by walking from one place to the other. Among the under mentioned centers, visitors were not permitted in two three centers as renovation of the art work or the building was in process. We could visit all the other centers. 

Mosaic School

This must be a center of attraction for the visitors here. Training is granted for the preservation of the existing art works from the 4th and 5th centuries and also for the development of the new art works with new methods, designs and style. This school is governed by the Tourism Development Department of Jordan Government. This is the only institution in the Middle East of this type. 

Archeological Park 

A large number of highly talented and devoted Archeological research Scholars and modern architects are fully employed here, considering the historical greatness and the heritage importance of the wealth of Mosaic Art. These scholars belong to different parts of the globe. The Archeological Park as well as the Museum stands for the maintenance of the rich and rare art works, which were recently excavated. Jordan Government pays a great attention to safe guard the art work, which is a sole right of Jordan. So the Government of Jordan is very keen and vigil in the maintenance. 
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Virgin St. Mary’s Church

This church was excavated in 1887 and from the writings on the floor mosaic only it was dedicated to St. Mary, Mother of God. It was originally constructed on the ruins of a Roman palace, in 6th centaury A.D. The message of the writing in the art work is almost like this: “If you want to look to Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God and redeemer as well as the King of the Universe, and also to St. Mary, who gave birth to Him, firstly you purify your mind, body and deeds. You attain self purification by submitting prayers for other children of God.” 

St. George Church

St. George Greek Orthodox Church was constructed in 1884 on the ruins of a Byzantine Church, originally constructed in the 5th centaury. We could clearly see the lion share of a map as floor mosaic on the floor of the present Church, which was executed in AD 560 and had the measurement of 16 meters length and 6 meter width. It is said that originally two million pieces of rock were used for the first formation of the floor mosaic and it took six years for the completion of the art work. In the map, Jerusalem, The Sculpture Church complex comprising the Tomb of our Lord, Golgotha etc, Dead Sea, River Jordan, Jericho, Nablus, Hebron, River Nile and the plains on the banks, South Lebanon etc are clearly marked. As the Church is facing the east, the map is also facing the eastern direction. The geographical accuracy of the map is well appreciated by many. The artists who designed the map have taken special care to show the wealth of fishes in the river Jordan. Not only that, they have shown the fishes in the area close to the Dead Sea, as returning to the other direction. (No living things, either animals or plants can live in the Dead Sea.) The artists who designed and worked the map had taken special care to mark the places and cities of Biblical importance with rock pieces of red, black and white color. There are about 157 writings (captions) in Greek Language) Cities are represented by two towers and a gate and a holy place is marked with the picture of a Church.