Holy Fire

Last weekend was Orthodox Easter. As with Christmas, the Orthodox believers also celebrate Easter on a different calendar. Beit Sahour Christians are predominantly of the Greek Orthodox faith, so this past weekend was a festive time in our village.

Holy Saturday, the day before Orthodox Easter, has been witness to the longest-attested annual miracle. Since 1106, it has been annually documented that a fire miraculously appears in the tomb of Christ within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. However, first mention of the Holy Fire is as early as 870. The Holy Fire is considered to be the flame of the Resurrection power. Following the celebrations in the Old City, the Holy Fire is then transported to various Eastern Orthodox countries around the world…including our little village next door to Bethlehem!

In previous years, we could have gone to the Old City to participate in the event. But for whatever reasons, we never prioritized spending the day in the crowded Old City with all the other pilgrims.  But this year the event came to our front doorstep, and we could watch from the relaxed perch of our building’s rooftop.

The view from our roof, looking towards the Judean wilderness. The distant hills are located in Jordan. 

Our rooftop perch to watch the festivities.

While waiting for the arrival of the Holy Fire, the local scout groups entertained the crowds with music and marching.

 

This was definitely the most organized of the groups.

The Holy Fire arrives! Here it is being held by a Greek Orthodox Priest from Jerusalem (in black). The priest in gold is the Beit Sahour priest to whom the fire was handed off to.

The priests and local elders lead the way with the Holy Fire. He is hard to point out in the crowd, but our landlord is directly behind the priests. He is one of the respected elders in the village and therefore appeared to have a place of honor. 

Everyone crowded behind the priests as they processed and delivered the Holy Fire to each of the churches in the village.