Pilgrims Gather in Jerusalem for Holy Fire Ritual

The Associated Press

AP Photo/Bernat Armangue
Christian pilgrims hold candles at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the burial site of Jesus Christ, during the ceremony of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem's Old City, Saturday, April 14, 2012. During the annual ceremony, top clerics enter the Edicule, the small chamber marking the site of Jesus' tomb. They emerge after to reveal candles lit with "holy fire" miraculously lit as a message to the faithful from heaven. The details of the flame's source are a closely guarded secret.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Christians lit candles and torches from a flame that emerged from the tomb of Jesus in a Jerusalem church Saturday as they conducted an ancient fire ritual that celebrates the Messiah's resurrection.

Plumes of smoke wafted through the crammed Church of the Holy Sepulcher as jostling pilgrims carrying crosses, candles and mobile phones set to record the event passed the flame from one to another.

Flanking the chanting crowds were dozens of black-clad Israeli police, specialized khaki-clad riot-prevention forces and border security guards keeping order. Photographers teetered over the crowds trying to snap photos. Palestinian women ululated as the fire emerged. Young men banged on drums and a few heated pilgrims got into fistfights that were broken up by the Israeli forces.

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April 14, 2012

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1. Constantinos E. Scaros wrote on April 14, 2012 3:52 PM	If the candle is ignited without the use of a match or a lighter, or even two sticks rubbed together - then it is the most amazing miracle in modern history. But if it really is ignited by one of those conventional ways, then it is a scam worth exposing. Either way, this story is greatly under-investigated, and responsible journalists need to get to the bottom of it, once and for all. Purportedly, the flame is such that it cannot cause items - such as articles of clothing, or hair/beards to burn. Why don't reputable journalists visit the site and try that for themselves, and then report whether their tie, or a lock of their hair, caught on fire or not?

2. Dionysios Markopoulos wrote on April 14, 2012 8:55 PM	Faith is a matter of a personal choice to believe. Who are journalists to investigate? This is a matter for the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and takes place on their sovereign property. If pilgrims and others choose to believe, that is their business. If others choose to disbelieve, that is their right. Ultimately, faith is a belief system not a matter of provable science. If this flame is real or fake is unnecessary for my personal choice to believe in Jesus as the Christ.

3. Peter Angelopoulos wrote on April 14, 2012 10:34 PM	Read the description area from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H oly_Fire Before entering the Tomb of Christ, the patriarch is examined by Jewish Israeli authorities to prove that he does not carry technical means to light the fire. This investigation used to be carried out by Muslim Turkish Ottoman soldiers as well.

4. Constantinos E. Scaros wrote on April 15, 2012 9:40 AM	Good day, gentlemen, and Christos Anesti! Dionysios, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with you that whether or not the flame is real or fake has nothing to do with the existence of Jesus Christ and the belief in His resurrection. Nonetheless, this is no small feat we're talking about. If, in fact, it is true, would you not agree that it is the greatest miracle in modern history? And, if so, wouldn't the entire world want to know about it? Walk down the street and ask any 100 people: "Do you know about the Resurrection Fire at the Holy Sepulchre?" At least 99 of them will say: "huh?" On the other hand, if it is a fake, then wouldn't you agree that religious leaders who perpetuate a scam ought to be exposed? Peter, with all due respect to your reference, the information is not thoroughly vetted and footnoted. Not your fault at all - it's just that Wikipedia is a place where anyone can write anything. Often times it is a good starting point to read about a particular topic, but its information, unless attributed to reliable primary sources, is often dubious. That said, I'm very happy that both of you have responded and I encourage further discussion by you and others. I think this is far too important a topic to go unnoticed by any human being - much less any Orthodox Christian.

5. Dionysios Markopoulos wrote on April 15, 2012 10:31 AM	Constantinos I completely understand your points. Doubt is part of faith. Doubt is part of the human condition. Yes indeed if anyone could somehow prove this miracle it would make world headlines. But during the Vespers of Love and next Sunday, the Orthodox churrch commemorates the apostle Thomas who doubted. He wanted to place his hands in Jesus's wounds to see for himself. So doubt is at the very origin of Christianity. While I am aware of this holy fire miracle, there really is no way to prove it to the billions of human beings on this earth and i have never personally needed it to be real or fake. Its just part of the Orthodox tradition of the Jerusalem Church. No matter what proof is provided, there will always be Thomas the doubter. So proving this, even if it were possible, would not necessarily correspond to the whole of humanity believing. I believe that God has a plan for us. It must take into account those who choose to disbelieve or remain ignorant of His love. For Christians, the greatest miracle took place about 2 millennia ago in a sealed tomb without any witnesses. The Resurrection was and is and always will be the greatest miracle. No one saw it, but today billions of people believe the Resurrection took place. So for an event that no one witnessed and which was based on hearsay testimony, look at the mpact the greatest miracle has had on humanity. So clearly proof is not necessary, only faith. The best we can do is to either believe or not believe in the holy fire. Proof is not necessary. And indeed, no proof could ever reach all of humanity. So God works in a different way. God works in love, patience, grace and allows each of us to exercise our free will o choose belief or disbelief.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Last Update: 12:55 AM ET