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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.
“The Church of the Holy Sepulchre reopened just two days prior to the ceremony, having been closed to the public for 40 days under Israeli security restrictions”
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 annual Holy Fire from Jerusalem is due to arrive in Athens on Holy Saturday evening aboard a Greek government aircraft”
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.