Thousands of Orthodox Christians Flock to Jerusalem for Easter 'Holy Fire'

Thousands of Christians flocked to Jerusalem's Old City and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday to commemorate the Orthodox Easter ceremonial of the "Holy Fire," an old, enigmatic tradition that has caused security difficulties with the police and authorities.

A flame that was miraculously ignited in the center of the grave of Jesus Christ is used to light the candles of devoted Christians in Greek Orthodox communities all over the world during the yearly Orthodox Easter event, which has been going on for more than a century.

After hours of anxious expectation, a priest lit his light inside the shadowy tomb on Saturday, Apr. 15 - bit by bit, the gloomy cathedral was irradiated by bright patches that gradually lit up the whole structure as one neighbor transmitted the light to the next, according to The Times of Israel.

As the bells chimed, the multilingual worshipers chanted, "Christ is risen!"

Enthusiasm was palpable among the crowds of people flocking to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed by Christians to be the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The cathedral, which can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers, was already filled, with many more spilling over into the nearby alleys of the Old City.

However, church leaders were informed for the second year in a row that entry would be severely limited due to safety concerns, according to the BBC.

Police Say They Are Just Doing Their Job

According to Master Sergeant Dean Elsdunne, a police spokesperson, external engineers have informed them about the maximum crowd capacity allowed inside the church. As a result, the police are limiting the number of people in attendance. Churches contest the assertion that Orthodox Easter restrictions were required.

Only 1,800 individuals are allowed to participate in the ceremony in Israel, which is often an experience of being crammed into multilingual, suffocating throngs.

Hundreds of people died there in a stampede in 1834. At the Jewish holy site of Mount Meron, 45 people were crushed and died two years ago. Authorities declare that they are committed to avoiding a repetition of the disaster.

Israeli police allegedly set up checkpoints at the entrance and through the walled Old City on Saturday, making it impossible for thousands of people to get to the church. The churches claim that the limitations are part of ongoing efforts to drive away the local Christian population.

Palestinian Christians Denounce Discrimination

The Orthodox Easter restrictions, according to many Palestinian Christians, are evidence of prejudice towards them.

Ahmad Tibi, an Arab-Israeli member of parliament, points out that the "occupation" affects both Muslims and Christians in East Jerusalem, The Guardian reported. The politician calls for more significant efforts to end the restrictions, violations, and police violence.

In contrast, police representative Dean Elsdunne emphasizes that their top priority is human life, and while they want more people to attend, they must limit the crowds to ensure safety.

The celebration this year also takes place in the wake of violent assaults and riots that occurred in Israel, East Jerusalem, and the occupied West Bank, as well as continuous demonstrations against a contentious government judicial reform.

Hundreds of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv late Saturday to resume protests against the measures that were temporarily paused by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 27 to allow for ongoing dialogue.

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Religion, Christianity, Jesus Christ, Orthodox Church, Easter, Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, Muslims