Descent of Holy Fire in Jerusalem

As per Orthodox Christian beliefs, the miracle of Holy Fire occurs every year when a blue light is emitted from the tomb of Jesus Christ and forms a column of fire, from which candles are lit. Reportedly, the Holy Fire also ignites candles and lamps around the church. It’s claimed that the fire does not burn believers.

The Holy Fire is then transported to other countries. For instance, immediately after its arrival at a Moscow airport from Jerusalem, the fire is transferred to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and other churches in the Russian capital, as well as to representatives of dioceses.

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Orthodox Christians gather with lit candles during the Holy Fire ceremony at the Holy Sepulcher church in Jerusalem's Old City on April 15, 2023 on the eve of Easter Sunday.

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Christian pilgrims hold candles during the Holy Fire ceremony, a day before Easter, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

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Christian worshippers wait behind a barrier set up by security forces barring the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Old Jerusalem, during the Orthodox Christian Easter Saturday celebrations.

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The ceremony has been celebrated the same way for at least 11 centuries.

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Orthodox Christians gather with lit candles around the Edicule, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ.

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Christian worshippers carry candles lit with the Holy Fire.

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Orthodox Christian clergy and nuns hold candles as they arrive for the Holy Fire ceremony.

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A man who obtained the Holy Fire from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem lights the candles of Christian worshippers waiting behind a barrier set up by Israeli security forces, during Orthodox Christian Easter Saturday celebrations.

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The historian Eusebius was first to mention the Holy Fire miracle in his work Life of Constantine, where he described an interesting incident in Jerusalem on Easter noon. According to the book, the clergy ran out of oil to fill the lamps and the fire was an important part of the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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However, Bishop Narcissus of Jerusalem ordered to use water instead of oil. Then, he ordered his followers to ignite the lamps. They burst with fire as they were filled with pure oil.

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Orthodox Christian tradition states that this miracle was a sort of precursor to the Miracle of the Holy Fire.

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The Miracle of the Holy Fire has inspired faith and hope for centuries.