Thousands of Christians gathered at the Spongee Church of the Holy Tomb for a Holy Fire Ceremony centuries ago.
With candles on, they were crammed into a vast 12th century cathedral built in the place where Jesus was crucified and buried, according to tradition.
In the darkness of almost darkness, the Greek patriarch entered the sacred edicule and appeared with two illuminated candles. The flame was passed from one candle to the next, and the light overcame the darkness of the Rotunda. The flames were later transferred to orthodox communities in other countries on special flights.
Orthodox Christians in the East believe that light miraculously appears in the sacred edicle built on the traditional site of Jesus’ tomb, but skeptics returning to the Middle Ages have dismissed it as a carnival trick for the masses.
In any case, the ceremony, which dates back at least 1,200 years ago, is a sight to be seen. It also sparked safety concerns.
In 1834, a frenzied stampede erupted in a dark church, and the then-holy rulers barely escaped after his guards pulled their swords and hacked through the crowd, historian Saibag Montefiore tells of the history of Jerusalem. About 400 pilgrims died in the brawl, most of them from asphyxiation and stomping.
Israeli authorities have been trying to limit participants in recent years, citing security concerns. It attracted protests from church leaders. Church leaders accused them of upsetting the delicate, unwritten arrangements of Jerusalem’s sacred place known as the status quo.
On Saturday, thousands of worshippers entered through Israeli checkpoints, and there was a heavy military presence.
Some worshipers lamented Israel’s lack of voter turnout this year due to the 18-month war in Gaza. “The number of police is higher than the number of pilgrims,” said Addie Jude, key holder at the Holy Tomb.
Israel captured East Jerusalem, which includes the Old Town, which has major locations sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, during the 1967 Middle East War, and annexed it into an internationally unrecognised movement. Palestinians hope that East Jerusalem will become the capital of the future nation.
The old town has a long history of tension between the Israelites and Palestinians, among various religious groups that share the range of its hills, and even in certain faiths. A perceived infringement of the current situation of the Holy Grave Church led to a brawl between the monks of different denominations.
Israel is committed to ensuring freedom of worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims, and says it has long been a status as an island of tolerance in the Middle East.
However, tensions have been rising with the local Christian community in recent years. Most of them are Palestinian Christians, and have declined over decades of conflict as many have moved abroad.
