The Holy Fire descended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This is an important event for Eastern Rite Christians.
The Holy Fire, or Holy Light, is a sacred symbol for Eastern Rite Christians and symbolizes the light of Christ's Resurrection. According to biblical legend, the Holy Fire first descended to Peter the Apostle. Upon hearing about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostle went to the tomb where Jesus was supposed to lie, but instead, Saint Peter saw a bright light shining throughout the cave.
Nowadays the ceremony takes place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is conducted on Holy Saturday by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem together with the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
After the flame is lit, the patriarch carries out of the Holy Sepulchre 33 lit candles, symbolizing the age of Jesus Christ at the moment of his death. The fire is called holy because, according to belief, it ignites on its own and does not burn for the first 30 minutes.
All believers can light their candles and lamps from the Holy Fire, thus spreading it throughout the world.
According to belief, if the Holy Fire does not descend, it signifies a universal catastrophe for the world.
Photo: The Holy Fire in Jerusalem on the eve of Easter (twitter.com/Israel)
