Posted on Apr 23, 2022
Israeli restrictions on ‘Holy Fire’ ignite Christian outrage
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Christians have celebrated their “Holy Fire” ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This year, the ceremony comes amid rising tensions with Israel, which imposed new restrictions on attendance that it said were needed for safety. Israel says it wants to prevent another disaster after a crowd stampede at a packed Jewish holy site last year left 45 people dead.
Christian leaders say there’s no need to alter a ceremony that has been held for centuries. Jerusalem is already on edge following days of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at a holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims.
Christian leaders say there’s no need to alter a ceremony that has been held for centuries. Jerusalem is already on edge following days of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at a holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims.
Israeli restrictions on ‘Holy Fire’ ignite Christian outrage
Posted from kcrg.com
Religion
Christianity
Tradition
Holidays
Israel
Posted 2 y ago
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First, only the Orthodox Church recognizes the event, neither the Roman Church nor heretical Protestant officials recognize the event. Second, it's not a real miracle, the candles do not magically ignite, the wicks are treated with liquid white phosphorus, which ignite once the wicks dry after about 20-30 minutes.
Plus, it's their country, they get to do what they want.
Plus, it's their country, they get to do what they want.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Israel says it wants to prevent another disaster after a crowd stampede at a packed Jewish holy site last year left 45 people dead. Christian leaders say there's no need to alter a ceremony that has been held for centuries.
In the dense confines of Jerusalem’s Old City, where Jews, Christians and Muslims must share their holiest sites — no matter how reluctantly — even small changes can cause prophetic angst.
The city has already seen a week of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam. It stands on a hilltop that is the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.
This year major Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays have converged against a backdrop of renewed Israeli-Palestinian violence. Tensions have soared as tens of thousands of people flock to Jerusalem's Old City to visit some of the holiest sites for all three faiths for the first time since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that on the Saturday before Easter a miraculous flame appears inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sprawling 12th century basilica built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
On Saturday, Greek Patriarch Theophilos III entered the Holy Edicule, a chamber built on the traditional site of the tomb, and returned with two lit candles, passing the flame among thousands of people holding candles, gradually illuminating the walls of the darkened basilica. The flame will be transferred to Orthodox communities in other countries on special flights."...
..."Israel says it wants to prevent another disaster after a crowd stampede at a packed Jewish holy site last year left 45 people dead. Christian leaders say there's no need to alter a ceremony that has been held for centuries.
In the dense confines of Jerusalem’s Old City, where Jews, Christians and Muslims must share their holiest sites — no matter how reluctantly — even small changes can cause prophetic angst.
The city has already seen a week of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam. It stands on a hilltop that is the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.
This year major Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays have converged against a backdrop of renewed Israeli-Palestinian violence. Tensions have soared as tens of thousands of people flock to Jerusalem's Old City to visit some of the holiest sites for all three faiths for the first time since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that on the Saturday before Easter a miraculous flame appears inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sprawling 12th century basilica built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
On Saturday, Greek Patriarch Theophilos III entered the Holy Edicule, a chamber built on the traditional site of the tomb, and returned with two lit candles, passing the flame among thousands of people holding candles, gradually illuminating the walls of the darkened basilica. The flame will be transferred to Orthodox communities in other countries on special flights."...
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