Holy Fire Descends at Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Photo: en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info

JERUSALEM — On Great and Holy Saturday, April 11th, 2026, the Ceremony of the Holy Fire was held at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with the service broadcast live by the UOJ-Ukraine. The services were presided over by His Beatitude Patr. Theophilos III of Jerusalem. At the appointed hour, he descended from the Cathedral of St. James and entered the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in solemn procession.

Representatives of the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches approached the Patriarch for blessing, in order to receive the Holy Fire. The Patriarch was then arrayed in hierarchical vestments, and the Vespers of Great and Holy Saturday commenced, with the company of other clergy, in a threefold procession around the Holy Edicule, while all the faithful chanted Resurrection hymns. 

At the third procession before the Holy Edicule, the Patriarch removed his hierarchical vestments and entered the sacred chamber of the Tomb, praying in silence. Shortly afterward, the Holy Fire emerged and was conveyed through the openings of the Edicule to the faithful and clergy, who received it with great joy and reverence. The faithful touched the flame to their eyes, lips, and foreheads before carrying it to their homes and communities in renewed faith. The Patriarch expressed hope that the Holy Light would inspire peace, repentance, and unity among nations in the coming days and beyond. 

Previously, the UOJ reported that the veneration of the Cross was celebrated outside the Holy Sepulchre amid tensions.

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