Orthodox celebrate 'holy fire' Easter ritual

Thousands of Orthodox Christians took part in the holy fire ritual of Easter Week on Saturday. Believers gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried, each carrying torches and candles symbolising the 33 years of Jesus’ life.

The ritual stems from the traditional belief that holy fire suddenly appears from Jesus’ tomb as a message to say that He has not forgotten His disciples.

Around 10,000 people took part in the event, with many having to worship outside the church as it was too crowded to hold everyone.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch in the Holy Land, Theofilos III, led a group of Greek, Armenian and other Orthodox clergy into the tomb of Jesus before emerging with the flame, which was passed around to other believers to light their candles.

One Greek monk who attended, Georgios Papageorgiou, said, "I feel very good and I feel the light, the light inside on our soul," reports Haaretz.

Light from the holy fire was also taken to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and on special flights to Athens and other cities.

The holy fire ritual is at least 1,200 years old and the exact details of the source of the flame is a closely guarded secret.