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

Record ID: 791481

  • Title: MIDEAST: Thousands attend Jerusalem Holy Fire ceremony, carry fire to birthplace of Jesus
  • Date: 26th April 2008
  • Summary: (W3) BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (APRIL 26, 2008) (REUTERS) WIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY, BELIEVED TO BE BIRTH PLACE OF JESUS WIDE OF CLERGY PROCESSION, NEAR THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY CLERGY WAITING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY FIRE IN BETHLEHEM VARIOUS OF CROWD CARRYING HOLY FIRE FROM JERUSALEM ARRIVING IN THE TOWN, SINGING, PLAYING DRUMS AND WAVING SWORDS CLOSE OF WOMAN LIGHTING CANDLE WITH HOLY FIRE FROM JERUSALEM CLOSE OF MAN HOLDING CANDLE VARIOUS OF CROWD CELEBRATING VARIOUS OF CHURCH OFFICIAL CARRYING OIL LAMP WITH HOLY FIRE AND GIVING IT TO LOCAL CLERGY LOCAL CLERGY CARRYING LAMP BACK TO THE CHURCH CLOSE OF MAN HOLDING LIT CANDLE VARIOUS OF CLERGY CARRYING LAMP BACK INTO THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY
  • Embargoed: 11th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA66VE025UJC2GQHC93MKIZBB4Q
  • 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.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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