Orthodox believers have a unique event on the eve of Easter - the descent of the blessed fire to earth. This rite has deep historical roots and has been known since the early Middle Ages.
The history of the appearance of the blessed fire
From the early Middle Ages, a custom appeared. according to which, on the eve of Easter, the hierarchs of the Orthodox Church lit a fire in the Jerusalem temple and blessed it in honor of the main holiday of the faithful. However, from the end of the first millennium, judging by the reports of religious historians of that time, the concept of the descent of the sacred fire appeared, that is, that the fire on the eve of Easter is given by the believing God. Numerous testimonies of the descent of the fire date back to the 10th century, and not only Christian, but also Islamic historians wrote about this miracle. Initially, the fire was lit in the morning, and the ceremony itself is described in different ways, most often the appearance of lightning is mentioned. Only the place remains unchanged - the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
Some eyewitnesses to the events of the 10th century wrote that the fire was brought directly by an angel.
Modern rite of convergence of fire
By the 19th century, the ceremony of the descent of the Holy Fire acquired its modern features. It was even secured by a special document issued by the government of the Ottoman Empire. This was done in order to avoid conflict between representatives of various Orthodox churches, as well as Orthodox and Muslims.
The keys to the chapel of the Holy Sepulcher have been kept for many generations by one Arab family, whose representative hands over the keys to the patriarch once a year.
The service on the day of the descent of the fire is conducted by the Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarch. Along with him, priests of other Orthodox churches, for example, the Armenian one, have the right to be in the church. The priests put on festive white robes, and then go around the church procession, offering prayers. After that, the patriarch, together with a representative of the Armenian clergy, can enter the small ancient chapel, over which the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built. They take with them candles, which will later be lit from the Holy Fire. The Patriarch offers a special prayer directly at the Holy Sepulcher. At this time, believers await the descent of the fire both in the temple itself and outside it. Television broadcasts are also conducted in many countries, including Russia. After the appearance of the fire, the patriarch lights candles from it, from which, in turn, anyone can light the fire. After the ceremony, the Holy Fire is delivered to Orthodox countries, where, in turn, believers can receive a piece of fire in their church.
