Holy Fire descended in Jerusalem - how it happened
Kyiv • UNN
Patriarch Theophilos III brought the Holy Fire out of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church was opened after 40 days of closure due to the war and security measures in Israel.
Today, the ceremony of the Holy Fire descent took place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, UNN reports.
Details
As Orthodox Times notes, the ceremony took place amid a strong police presence due to the ongoing war in the region over the past two months.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem emerged from the church with lit torches and 33 candles, distributing the Holy Fire to the faithful present and conveying a message of hope and Resurrection.
Two days earlier, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre reopened its doors after a 40-day closure, during which it remained shut due to restrictive measures imposed during the conflict.
This followed a review by the Israeli police of regulations concerning places of worship in Jerusalem.
In an official statement, the Israeli police announced that following changes in defense policy and updated directives from the Israeli army's Home Front Command, as a result of the ceasefire with Iran, holy sites in Jerusalem have reopened to the public for both visits and prayer.
These include the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Temple Mount. Authorities noted that due to the expected increase in visitors, the Jerusalem District Commander ordered heightened operational readiness. As a result, hundreds of police officers, border guards, and volunteers were deployed throughout the city, covering main roads, the Old City, and holy sites.
According to the same announcement, the main goal is to ensure safe access for worshippers and visitors, while protecting freedom of religion and maintaining strict public order and security.