MIDEAST: Thousands attend Jerusalem Holy Fire ceremony, carry fire to birthplace of Jesus

Record ID: 791477

  • Title: MIDEAST: Thousands attend Jerusalem Holy Fire ceremony, carry fire to birthplace of Jesus
  • Date: 26th April 2008
  • Summary: (W3) JERUSALEM (APRIL 26, 2008) (REUTERS) CROWD WAITING OUTSIDE THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE FOR BEGINNING OF EASTER "HOLY FIRE" CEREMONY MARKING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
  • Embargoed: 11th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA7TZYD5Z7HI4WM8WYY4N6AF18A
  • Story Text: Thousands of Christian worshippers flocked on Saturday (April 26) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to take part in the Easter "Holy Fire" ceremony, marking the resurrection of Jesus.
    The Holy Fire is considered a miracle that occurs every year on Holy Saturday, the day preceding Orthodox Easter.
    Thousands of worshippers crammed into the ancient church, believed to be built on the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
    The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Teophilos the Third, entered the small tomb structure of Jesus at the Holy Sepulchre Church. At precisely 2 p.m. (1100GMT), worshippers believe, a sun beam shone through the window in the ceiling of the church and lit a lamp placed in the tomb. The Patriarch then lit a few candles with the Holy Fire, and passed them on to worshippers inside the church.
    Seconds after the Orthodox patriarch lit the first candles with the Holy Fire, the fire rapidly spread throughout the church as worshippers lit each other's candles. The fire was then passed on to the worshippers waiting outside the church. In past centuries, worshippers were expected to take the flame back to their villages around Russia and Eastern Europe.
    Following tradition, an olive lamp lit by the "Holy Fire" was transferred to the West Bank town of Bethlehem, to the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
    Worshippers waiting for the fire held street celebrations, playing drums, singing and waving swords in the air.
    The Easter holiday culminates on Easter Sunday when Christians believe Jesus rises from the dead, three days after being crucified.
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