O’Neill unveils historical plaque

 PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill visited the Baptismal Site at the Jordan River in Israel and unveiled a historical plaque on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea.

The Israeli Government organised a tour for O’Neill and his delegation to Nazareth following the completion of official government business. 

O’Neill and his delegation first visited the Church of Annunciation where the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she would be giving birth to Jesus. 

That was followed by a visit to KafarKanna where Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding ceremony  – turning water to wine. 

He visited the River Jordan and the site where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. 

Like other national leaders visiting the site for the first time, he unveiled the plaque with the text from Mark 1: 9-11 translated into Tok Pisin.

“It gives me great honour to unveil this plaque here at the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River, on behalf of the people of PNG,” O’Neill said. 

The latter part of the visit was to the North of the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and spread the Gospel. 

The remains of his temple are still there. 

In Capernaum was the first Christian Church built by Peter.