Holy Fire on Easter Saturday – fake or real?

Many Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land over Easter will try and catch the Good Friday events in the Old City of Jerusalem. Some will even stay over the weekend because of yet more celebrations and yes, er, miracles.

This is something that I’ve just discovered, but apparently every Easter Saturday the “Holy Fire” miraculously appears in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City. The Holy Fire appears when the Patriarch of Jerusalem enters a small structure built over Christ’s actual, historic tomb. He enters inside, closes the door, and two large candles are miraculously lit as he is uttering prayers. When he exits the tomb he uses his lit candles to light the candles of pilgrims, who in turn light other pilgrims’ candles.

OK, that’s not so miraculous. But, apparently, the Holy Fire doesn’t burn, and you can often witness pilgrims waving their hands through the flames they carry. Personally, I’m a little skeptical, why would they be waving the flame, surely they could just hold it steady if it doesn’t burn?

Anyway, here are a couple of interesting videos about the Holy Fire miracle. Whatever you think or believe, you’ve got to admire the faith and belief. Or maybe not.

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