LAST UPDATE 19:24
“May the Light of Christ’s Resurrection, and therefore the light that sprang from the Holy Grave, enlighten the spirit of people and warm their hearts”, wished Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
As he gave the Holy Light to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris, during the special ceremony that was held at the Patriarchate after the Holy Light Ceremony at Holy Grave, the Patriarch also wished that the Holy Fire enlightens and leads those that have doubts and problems to the road of Truth. “Orthodoxy is not a trend, it is the light of Truth”, stressed the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Referring to the significance of Jesus’ personality, he emphasized that He is the only person in world history to have placed himself beyond justice. In this context, the Patriarch argued that the problem for people today is the sense of justice. “If there is no justice, there is nothing in this world”, he concluded.
From his part, Markos Bolaris, in charge of the Greek delegation, mentioned that today we have the blessing, the privilege and the honor to visit Holy Grave and receive on behalf of the Greek government and Parliament to receive the Holy Light by the Patriarch of Jerusalem himself.
Mr. Bolaris assured the Patriarch that he shall convey his blessings to Greece and thanked him for his love and because the Greek delegation “had the chance to participate in Jerusalem’s most important day”.
Furthermore, Deputy Minister assured the Patriarch that “Greece, Greek government and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras fully and vigorously support not only the brotherhood of the Holy Grave” but also the Patriarch himself so as to continue his holy work that endures in word and in deed for over 2000 years.
After 4 in the afternoon, the Greek delegation departed from the Patriarchate to Israel’s airport, while the Exarch of the Holy Grave, Damianos, carried the Holy Light in a special lantern.
According to ANA-MPA, the governmental aircraft that shall carry the Holy Light to Greece is expected to depart from Tel Aviv Airport at 5 in the afternoon and arrive in Athens at 20:00, at Eleusis Military Airport, where the official ceremony of its arrival, with honors assigned to a Head of State, shall take place by a military detachment (agema) of the Ministry of National Defense.
Afterwards, the Holy Light shall be transferred to Athens International Airport by a private helicopter and then it shall fly to every Greek city by Aegean, Olympic Air and Sky Express flights.
Earlier, the ceremony of Holy Light was celebrated at the Holy Church of Jerusalem in a festive and spiritually emotional atmosphere.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III entered the Holy Sepulchre with two bundles, each with 33 candles, that symbolize the age of Christ. In the antechamber, the Angel’s Chapel, he was followed by the priest of the Armenian Patriarchate. Then the Patriarch entered alone the Holy Sepulchre, while the thousands of believers that had fled to the church shouted “Worthy (Axios)”.
After 2.30 at noon, Patriarch Theophilos III, accompanied by archpriests, priests and deacons, came out of the Holy Grave holding in each hand the 33 candles lit and distributes the Holy Light to the thousands of pilgrims that attended awaiting for “Come forth and receive Light” and for the Resurrection message for humanity. While the bells ring joyfully, the Patriarch sang “Come receive the Light from the unsetting Light and greet Christ risen from the dead”, transmitting the message of the Resurrection to the congregation, who rushed to get and distribute the Holy Light holding in their hands torches consisting o f 33 candles.
The Holy Church was swarming with believers, especially from Arabic speaking countries, but also from Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Poland, Cyprus and Greece.
Η ΑΦΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΦΩΤΟΣ 2019
Gepostet von Jerusalem-Patriarchate am Samstag, 27. April 2019
At the end of the ceremony, the Patriarch shall render the Holy Light to the delegate of Greece, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris, while the Exarch of the Holy Grave Damianos shall carry it in a special lantern and bring it to Athens.