With the splendor that befits its greatest celebration, but also under the heavy shadow of the developments in , it took place at noon on Holy Saturday, his in Jerusalem.
In the Church of the Resurrection, “Come, Receive Light” sounded as a message of hope, with the Patriarch of Jerusalem handing over the flame to the faithful, amid a climate of deep emotion.
The formality of the ceremony and the entrance to the Holy Sepulcher
The Patriarch, after putting on his high-priestly vestments, exited the Beautiful Gate and followed the litany, circumambulating three times around the Holy Sepulcher. Immediately after, following the ancient formality, he removed the vestments and entered the Holy Kuvouklio, together with the Armenian Hierarch.
The moment of the exit with the Holy Light in hand, caused shivers of emotion in those present, while the flame was directly transferred to the Orthodox Armenians, through the special holes of the Tomb.
“Green wristbands” and a strong police presence
This year’s ceremony differed significantly from previous years, due to the war situation. Inside the Temple, at least 2,700 people were found, who entered exclusively with the special “green wristband” security.
From the Gaza Gate to every alley of the Old City, the police presence was strong, with dozens of checkpoints. Despite the restrictions, this year’s turnout was seen as a “breath” of calm as measures were slightly more relaxed than in previous days.
“This fortnight’s respite from the war scene and the negotiations that are in progress, encapsulate perhaps a modern miracle of the days”, report the envoys at the scene.
The route to Athens: With Head of State prices
The Holy Light begins its journey to Greece, where it will be received with all solemnity. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yannis Loverdos, head of the Greek delegation, said characteristically:
“Here, from the Holy Sepulcher, we will carry the Holy Light to Athens and through it to the whole of Greece. I hope that around 18:30 we will be at the “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport, so that through special flights it will reach every corner of our homeland. Tonight, all the Greeks will do Resurrection with the Holy Light.”
Despite more than 40 days of conflict in the region, the temporary ceasefire allowed worshipers to experience the moment with an unexpected serenity on their faces, turning this year’s Resurrection into a global plea for peace.
