Woman Wades into Jordan River to Save Dove Discarded by Clergy

Every day, we at The Great Animal Rescue Chase bring you tales of heroism from animal lovers across the globe. Today’s is one of the most provocative we’ve ever shared. You sometimes have little more than a heartbeat to decide if you will turn sorrowfully away from an animal in distress or if you’ll summon the courage to run forward and help. For all you runners out there, this one’s for you….

Written by Judith Sudilovsky of Jerusalem, Israel

Working as a journalist in Jerusalem for more than two decades, I have covered many a religious ceremony, including the Greek Orthodox Epiphany Ceremony at the Qasr el Yahud baptismal site on the Jordan River. It is always packed with Orthodox pilgrims from all over the world, most of them Greek Orthodox. The ceremony also involves the release of three white doves.

Last year, the site had been renovated by the Israelis and included a wooden platform near the water’s edge. As always, the site was packed with pilgrims with barely any walking room. Through this throng the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and Archimandrites (Orthodox ranking just below bishops) made their way with three white doves perched on the tops of three tall golden staffs.

Unfortunately, as they approached the water’s edge one of the doves was knocked off the staff. He was scooped up quickly and put back on the staff and the procession continued to the water’s edge. At the end of the ceremony, the doves were released into the sky, but the dove who had fallen off the staff apparently had broken a wing and could not fly. He fell right into the river. Luckily, he fell close to some water plants and was able to pull himself to the plants where he clung on to the reeds. It was a a cold rainy day. I was sure one of the priests would arrange for the dove to be rescued. After all, the dove had been a symbolic part of their religious ceremony.

But as the patriarch and others began leaving the site, I saw that nobody was giving the dove a second thought. I approached one of the clergymen and asked him what would happen to the dove who was stuck in the water and could not fly. He looked out into the water and said “I don’t know. Maybe he will die.” I asked him if he could send someone into the river to get the dove and he said no. I then approached one of the young Israeli policemen who was dressed in head-to-toe rain gear if he would go into the water to get the dove, but he too said no.

So I, a middle-aged woman in jeans, asked one of the photographers who was there to hold onto my purse and, clinging to a handrailing leading down into the river, I felt my way with my feet slowly down the stairs leadng under the water until I was almost hip-deep into the water.

I was afraid that the dove would be startled by my appearance and try to escape before I was able to catch him so I quickly scooped him up from the reeds and clutched him to my chest as I made my way back up the stairs.

I was surprised to see that the thousands of pilgrims there — and also who had been watching from across the Jordan on the Jordanian side of the river a few hundred yards away – began to applaud me and the dove. As I made my way through the crowd, they began to bless me and reached out to pet the dove.

At the office of the Israel National Parks Authority near the parking lot of the site, I found a ranger who also was an animal rescuer and he took the dove, telling me he would take the bird to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo where they have a rehabilitation center for injured birds. When possible, they later release the birds back into the wild. Though I do not know the fate of “my” white dove, I like to think that it healed well and is now in a place where he is safe and comfortable — whether it is in the zoo’s sanctuary or other bird sanctuary or in the wild.

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Zana Z.

5:52AM PDT on May 13, 2012

Bless you for spotting the fact that nobody else seemed to be doing the right thing for the dove. Seems like some of those need to remember the teachings of God seeing the little sparrow fall too.

This time it is applause here from across the ocean ringing out. Bless you.

send a green star

Julie D.

10:13AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

I seem to recall that Jesus got rather upset at the sale of doves for slaughter in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Living doves are not a convenient symbol for religious people they are sentient living beings.

Rescuing the injured dove was indeed the real evidence of love and compassion that day - well done Judith.

Karen N.

12:41PM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

CHURCH /COMPASSION = NO CONNECTION
CHURCH / SPIRIT = NO CONNECTION CHURCH / VISION = NO CONNECTION CHURCH . . . . .SHOULD BE NO MORE

Anneke A.

11:45AM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

you deserve more than applaus! So natural and kind, I love it!

Trudi G.

4:17AM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

So much for the kindness found in the church- I am ashamed of the Israeli who wouldn't help either- pity and compassion is something that SHOULD be taught when imbibing mother's milk- what is WRONG with these people???

Past Member .

12:44AM PDT on Mar 27, 2012

This reminds me of how in the bible they talk about the hypocrites in the churches. What you did was a WWJD thing....and all too often the very people that lay claim to their religion and Jesus, do just the opposite of what they know to be right. You did what Jesus would have done. Beautiful. :)

m S.

5:46PM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

I have learned that
the clergy of any religion have lost their compassion and respect for life,especially animals. They perform these grand ceremonies for pomp and circumstance but do not live the words they preach It's sad,really. So many people look up to them,yet they live cold callous lives. Thank you for "scooping up"the dove

Debbie C.

5:18AM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

Bless you, Judith for helping this Dove!! I am sure he/she appreciated your caring touch.
I bet after he healed, he went back to his family and told them all about how you saved him.

Jelca B.

2:11AM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

Praise you. Human ceremonies should never involve animals. Here was to show (symbolise) why most religions (not all) bring more war than peace. They don't read their own peace symbols.

donna f.

4:09PM PDT on Mar 24, 2012

Thank you Judith for doing the Godly thing. Hmmm.