Ascension of the Holy Fire 2022/israeltoday
On the eve of Easter, April 23, Orthodox Christians watch the rise of the blessed fire in Jerusalem. Believers from all over the world come to the holy place or look at the miracle online.
The Holy Fire descends every year in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. It is delivered to different countries so that more believers can touch the miracle.
How the ceremony takes place
The patriarch and the clergy conduct a procession in the temple and go around the chapel three times. Priests of several Orthodox denominations take part in the service. The service is led by the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Then the Patriarch alone enters the Holy Sepulcher. He says a prayer, and the faithful are waiting for the ascension of the blessed fire in the temple. The priest comes out of the tomb with 33 lighted candles – this is the age of Jesus at the time of death.
By the way, the Patriarch is searched so that he does not have matches and a lighter with him. This is why fire is called blessed, because it ignites itself.
