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I don't about that "analogous relationship", but the connection between the river Jordan and God goes back to the days of Joshua (when the ark of the covenant crossed the river). Jordan river plays also role in the story of Elijah and Elisha (in a certain sense, Elijah was a "forerunner" of Elisha, who became greater than Elijah).

@@HomoEucharistica Totally true. I was just thinking of the traditions that have solidified around the river in post-biblical times, like when the protagonist of The Pilgrim's Progress has to cross the river to reach the Celestial City, or much later when many black American spirituals focus on crossing the Jordan to reach the Promised Land (though I'm aware that can refer to release from the injustice of slavery, it refers to ultimate rewards as well).

@@afterwit3620 Well, if you think about it, the connection between Jordan River and death is already rooted in the biblical era. As you know, the Promised Land and later Israel represent the kingdom of Heaven in the Scriptures (also "New Jerusalem", true Israel etc.), and Jordan is literally the border river of that land. Because the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses, the entire rebellious generation had to die (except Joshua and Caleb) before the nation was allowed to cross the river. The Israelites were also circumcised after crossing the river which is also a sort of symbol of death (and it also happened they celebrated Passover either right before or soon after crossing the river Jordan)... ALSO, water in general has strong connection with death and Hades, besides other meanings, in biblical thinking (which is also why it's big deal in the book of Revelation that "there is no longer any sea"). As said, I don't know about the history of that tradition, but I'm positive it goes back (in one form or another) to the days of the Apostles... Would be interesting to hear what Jewish rabbis around that time had to say on that topic

@@HomoEucharistica Good points all. Particularly the need for the rebellious generation to die before crossing into the promised land. I normally only think of Moses being denied entry.

@@afterwit3620 In a sense, it's due to the death of Moses why Israel can finally go and take the land as her own. Yes Moses did a mistake and therefore he couldn't cross the river, but there's also "the death of the high priest" vibe there. There's a law that a murderer (if it was an accident) can escape to a city of refuge and live there in safe, but he can leave that city not until the high priest of that time dies. When the high priest is dead, criminal can go in peace and live without fearing revenge of victim's relatives... Something similar happens in the death of Moses, in a certain sense. Moses is an antitype of the suffering servant of the Lord, and Joshua is an antitype of victorious conqueror, thus foreshadowing two missions (and two comings) of the Messiah

Glad we can be a little bit medicinal! Get well soon

@@Patristix God bless!

That's actually quite a good way of putting it!

Thank you SO much for your help! And likewise, we've been Orthodox our whole lives and constantly find new beautiful things

Yes it's something we found in Australia! We've also had teh tarik which is delicious

Thank you! We aim to try. And thanks for noticing the sword. We like having it there

I think there's a way to use it as a "guest" once off. But if it's not possible we would still very much appreciate your prayers!

It is Anduril, a sword from Lord of the Rings