Thousands Attend Ancient Holy Fire Ceremony in Jerusalem

The ancient Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem drew thousands of faithful participants, marking a significant religious tradition for Christians during Easter. This centuries-old ritual, held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, symbolizes the resurrection of Christ and is deeply rooted in Christian heritage. The event brings together Christians from around the world, highlighting its spiritual and cultural importance, as people gather to celebrate this sacred occasion with prayers, hymns, and the lighting of candles.

A large crowd of Christians gathered in the historic Church of the Holy Sepulchre to take part in the centuries-old Holy Fire ceremony. They filled the 12th-century church, which stands at the traditional site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial, holding unlit candles.

In almost complete darkness, the Greek patriarch entered the Holy Edicule, emerging with two lit candles. The flame spread from one candle to another, symbolizing light triumphing over darkness. The fire was later shared with Orthodox communities in other countries through special flights.

Eastern Orthodox Christians believe the flame miraculously appears inside the Holy Edicule, while some skeptics, dating back to the Middle Ages, dismiss it as a staged spectacle.

Regardless of belief, the ceremony, which has been celebrated for over 1,200 years, is a remarkable event that has raised safety concerns over the years.

In 1834, a stampede occurred inside the church in the darkness, leaving the ruler of the Holy Land at the time narrowly escaping after his guards had to use swords to clear a path. Around 400 pilgrims died in the chaos, mostly due to suffocation or trampling, as noted by historian Simon Sebag Montefiore.

In response to safety concerns, Israeli authorities have recently limited the number of participants, a move that has sparked protests from church leaders who claim it disrupts the delicate balance of arrangements for Jerusalem’s holy sites, known as the status quo.

This year, the ceremony saw a significant military presence as thousands of worshippers passed through Israeli checkpoints to enter.

Some attendees expressed disappointment over the lower turnout this year, blaming the ongoing 18-month war in Gaza. “The number of police is higher than the number of pilgrims,” remarked Adeeb Joude, the key holder of the Holy Sepulchre.

Since Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East War and later annexed it, the city has been a point of contention. Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, while the city’s Old City remains a hotbed of tensions between Israelis, Palestinians, and different religious groups.

Incidents involving the status quo at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have led to confrontations between monks from different Christian denominations. Israel has long prided itself on ensuring religious freedom, but tensions with the local Christian population, mostly Palestinian Christians, have been rising as their numbers decline due to the ongoing conflict and migration abroad.

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Source: aljazeera‍