BELGRADE— Every year on Holy Saturday, the day before Pascha (Easter), Orthodox Christians believe that the Holy Fire appears inside the Tomb of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. They believe this light, captured by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, is the confirmation of the Resurrection. For them, it’s a miracle, a manifestation of Holy Spirit.

In non-pandemic times, many pilgrims of all denominations gather in Jerusalem to take part in this annual event.

By tradition, the local authorities check for any hidden source of fire inside the tomb and seal the tomb with wax. After that, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the tomb with 33 candles in each hand and pray to God. The Holy Light, like some kind blue tint, appears from the core of the stone on which Jesus lay. Then, the Patriarch lights the candles and comes out with the candles lit. This fire, as many witnesses said, is not the same nature as normal fire. It cannot burn you.

On Orthodox Good Friday, Rev. Richard Sewell, the Dean of the St. George’s College in Jerusalem and an Anglican priest, called the ceremony “the World Cup Final of Easter services.”

The fire spontaneously combusts in the tomb as a symbol of Jesus coming back to life and giving eternal life. Then the light is passed on a torch to light everyone’s candles in the crowd, illustrating the light the church aims to bring to a world in darkness.

“It is rowdy with lots of singing and drumming and it is very joyful,” Rev. Sewell said. “It certainly isn't a moment of quiet contemplation like some Christians like to do at dawn on Easter Day.”

After this annual ceremony, many Orthodox Churches organize the transfer of the Holy Fire from Jerusalem to their countries, including Georgia, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Romania, Egypt, Greece, where church and state leaders have received the Holy Fire. The flame goes out into the world like the disciples of Jesus spread the gospel after his resurrection and assumption into heaven.

The Holy Fire ceremony dates back to 4th Century, but Saints John Damascene and Gregory of Nissa narrate how the Apostle Peter saw the Holy Light in the Holy Sepulchre after Christ's resurrection. The early church historian Eusebius also describes the Holy Fire ceremony.  

“It is the high point of the Christian year for Orthodox Christians all over the world,” Rev. Sewell said. “It is important because it is a sign of the Christ's resurrection, the defeat of death and darkness and of the hope that overcomes despair. The Holy Fire is a sign of God's presence with us.” 

This honor of receiving the Holy Fire is “reserved” only for the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. During the ceremony’s history, there were several times that clergy from other denominations tried to exclude the Jerusalem Patriarch. But, still, the only who enters inside the tomb to receive the Holy Light is the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, last year the faithful were not allowed to gather for this holy ceremony. But this year, the Israel authorities allowed pilgrims to gather with some restrictions.

According to statement by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, only those who had been vaccinated were allowed to enter the Church of the Resurrection, and those who had not been vaccinated stayed in the Central Monastery on roofs.

Orthodox Christians follow a different calendar than Catholics and Protestants. Sometimes, the dates for Easter match, but usually they don’t.

Mladen Aleksic is a freelance journalist who covers the Orthodox Church as well as a theologian and elementary school teacher in Serbia. He writes for various Serbian media outlets as well as Balkan Insight, Global Comment and Christianity Today. Follow him on Twitter @MladenAleksic85.