JERUSALEM — On the Saturday preceding Easter, an age-old ritual known as the Holy Fire draws thousands of Christians to the vast interior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
With unlit candles in hand, they crowd into the expansive basilica, constructed in the 12th century, which is traditionally believed to be the location where Jesus was crucified and entombed. Under nearly complete darkness, the Greek patriarch enters the Holy Edicule and emerges holding two lit candles.
The light is then dispersed from one candle to another, slowly illuminating the rotunda. Subsequently, the flame is transported to various Orthodox communities across the globe via special flights.
Eastern Orthodox believers are convinced that this light manifests miraculously within the Holy Edicule, said to be situated on Jesus’ burial site. However, skeptics, whose queries have spanned back to the Middle Ages, regard it as merely a spectacle for the people.
Regardless of beliefs, the ceremony is a captivating event, with roots stretching back at least 1,200 years. However, safety remains a concern. In 1834, a chaotic stampede took place in the darkened church, leading to the protector of the Holy Land barely escaping after his guards had to cut through the crowd with swords, as recorded by historian Simon Sebag Montefiore in his works on Jerusalem. Tragically, around 400 pilgrims lost their lives from either suffocation or being trampled during the chaos.
Recent efforts by Israeli officials aim to control the number of participants citing safety issues, actions which have been met with disapproval from church leaders. They argue that such measures disrupt the sensitive and unwritten agreements known as the status quo surrounding Jerusalem’s sacred sites.
On the designated Saturday, heavy military presence was noted as thousands of worshipers navigated through Israeli checkpoints to gain entrance. Reporters observed police arresting a man and noted altercations between police and women who were denied access to the courtyard.
There were expressions of disappointment from worshipers regarding this year’s lower turnout, attributed to Israel’s ongoing 18-month conflict with Hamas. “The number of police is higher than the number of pilgrims,” commented Adeeb Joude, the key holder for the Holy Sepulcher.
Israel gained control of east Jerusalem, which includes the Old City and its significant religious sites for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, following the 1967 Mideast war. This annexation remains unrecognized internationally. Palestinians aim to establish east Jerusalem as the capital of their prospective state.
The Old City bears a lengthy history of Israeli-Palestinian tensions, friction between various religious groups who reside there, and even disputes within certain faiths. Any perceived violations of the status quo at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher have previously sparked altercations between monks from different sects.
Israel has maintained that it is devoted to safeguarding the freedom of worship for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, often portraying itself as a sanctuary of tolerance amid the Middle East. Nevertheless, in recent years, disagreements with the local Christian community—most of whom are Palestinian Christians whose numbers have dwindled due to prolonged conflict and economic migration—are on the rise.