Bishop Vindictos, head of the Jordanian Orthodox Church, blesses worshippers during a mass at a baptism site by the Jordan River on Jan. 18, 2013. Thousands of Orthodox Christians flocked to the baptism site on Friday to start a pilgrimage. (Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh)

Christian priests attend a mass at a baptism site by the Jordan River on Jan. 18, 2013. Thousands of Orthodox Christians flocked to the baptism site on Friday to start a pilgrimage. (Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh)

Orthodox Christian pilgrims attend a mass at a baptism site by the Jordan River on Jan. 18, 2013. Thousands of Orthodox Christians flocked to the baptism site on Friday to start a pilgrimage. (Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh)

Orthodox Christian pilgrims light candles during a mass at a baptism site by the Jordan River on Jan. 18, 2013. Thousands of Orthodox Christians flocked to the baptism site on Friday to start a pilgrimage. (Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh)