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Holy Fire Ceremony
The Holy Fire ceremony took place at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre on April 11, 2026.
“close Al Jazeera See this story on our app Close the sidebarClose the sidebar Christians return to Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre as Israel eases restrictions Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter’s Holy Fire ceremony at Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre after Israel eased restrictions on worshippers accessing holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem”
The church had reopened just two days prior after being closed for 40 days under Israeli security restrictions.
Thousands of worshippers participated, though attendance was significantly smaller than in previous years.
Israeli police treated the procession as a security incident, setting up eight checkpoints and limiting movement.
The Palestinian Authority's Wafa news site reported police forced Palestinian scouts to remove the Palestinian flag from their uniforms.
Security Measures and Tensions
Israeli police deployed a massive security operation, mobilizing hundreds of officers and border guards.
Access to the church was controlled with permissions issued according to ecclesiastical recommendations.
Alternative spaces were arranged for those without authorization.
Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy was on scene.
The ceremony commemorates the Resurrection of Christ, with tradition holding that a flame miraculously bursts forth from Jesus' tomb.
Distribution of the Flame
The Holy Fire was received by Foreign Ministry representatives and handed off to diplomatic and church delegations.
“The celebration of Holy Fire is one of the most remarkable events in the Old City of Jerusalem”
The Greek delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Loverdos.
The flame was expected to arrive at Athens International Airport between 6:30 and 7 p.m.
Aegean Airlines and Sky Express were scheduled to transport the flame to multiple destinations across Greece and Cyprus.
Historical and Spiritual Significance
The Holy Fire ceremony is one of the most remarkable events in the Orthodox calendar.
The flame is believed to miraculously appear inside the Holy Edicule.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch enters the chapel without any incendiary devices and prays over the burial slab.
A blue light is emitted from the stone and ignites the Patriarch's candles.
The event symbolizes the resurrection of Christ and the light overcoming darkness.
