religion
RUSSIAN PRIEST REVEALS WHETHER THE CEREMONY OF THE HOLY FIRE WILL TAKE PLACE THIS YEAR: Uncertainty caused by the closure of the holy site in Jerusalem is over
The Romanian Orthodox Church, in cooperation with state authorities, is organizing a pilgrimage to Egypt and further flights to Bucharest.
TL;DR
- The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is closed to the public due to tensions between Israel and Iran.
- Clergy of the Jerusalem Patriarchate continue to hold services behind closed doors.
- There are concerns that the Holy Fire ceremony, held before Orthodox Easter, might be canceled.
- The ceremony involves the Patriarch entering a chapel and candles miraculously lighting.
- The Holy Fire is traditionally distributed to believers and flown to various Orthodox countries.
- The Russian Orthodox Church hopes the closure will not disrupt the Holy Fire's transfer.