The Holy Fire Descended in Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
Today, on the Holy Saturday, which precedes Easter and this year fell on 4 May, the Holy Fire descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
This became known from an online broadcast of the annual ceremony.
The ceremony of the descent of the Holy Fire before Easter is held annually in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The actual rite of descent takes place in the Cenacle (chapel) of the Holy Sepulchre.
For believers, the Holy Fire is a sign from the Lord, God's mercy for people. Priests say that it descends so that people are "kindled by faith". According to legend, if the fire does not descend, the end of the world may be near.
On the eve of Holy Saturday, all candles and lamps are extinguished in the Church of the Resurrection.
On Saturday morning, delegations from all seven Christian churches visit the chapel built over the tomb, the kuvuklia, and seal the tomb.
Seven Christian denominations are waiting for the Holy Fire under the church: Armenian, Orthodox, Catholic, Greek Catholic, Coptic, and Protestant. They will then take the Holy Fire home from the Holy Land.
Thousands of Christians also gathered near the church to watch the ceremony.
After the fire descends, Christians spread this fire between faithful candles and special lamps around the world, transferring it by plane and train so that the fire, symbolising new life, reaches every church.
