The people of Samaria were not deported during the Babylonian captivity. Those Jews who returned from captivity refused to accept the people of Samaria as Jews. The Samaritans built their own Temple on Mt Gerizim in opposition to the Temple in Jerusalem. They only recognize the five books of Moses as inspired. Today are few in number.
At pilgrimage time, Samaritan youths built cairns of stones on the slopes above the pilgrim routes and pelted Jewish pilgrims from Galilee on their way to and from Jerusalem.
Tell at Samaria. Samaria was founded 876 BC. The prophet Amos condemned the people for their decadent behaviour. Amos 6:4-7
Tower in Samaria
Steps leading to Herod’s Temple. Christians identified Samaria as the place where Salome asked Herod Antipas for the head of John the Baptist and as the place of his beheading. Mk. 6:17-29. However it is more likely that his death took place at the fortress of Machaerus to the east of the Dead Sea.
Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal
Mt Gerezim. Each year Samaritans gather to Celebrate the Passover.
Gathering for the Samaritan Passover
Each family brings a lamb
Shiloh is identified as place of the Tabernacle. Judges 18: 31
St John says that while Jesus worked in Judea, John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was plentiful there. Jn. 3:22-30
Jacob’s Well: John’s Gospel recalls Jesus visit to Sychar and his meeting with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well. John 4:7-42
