Okay, by now you have probably seen
at least if you’re in Orthodox circles, the news that Facebook has been
refuting the Holy Fire of Jerusalem and taking down and practically banning
anyone who claims the Holy Fire to be a miracle. For those of us who have been
around the miracle for years or decades now, we know that the Holy Fire is one
of the most sacred and important miracles in the Orthodox world and one that we
do not take kindly to those who try and refute the 2,000-year history of this
tradition. I had plans to write this earlier in the week, but like all things I
took my time in trying to decide how and best to approach a miracle that both
Muslims and Jews have witnessed and confirmed that God is at work. For me, as a
historian at heart the best way to talk about the Holy Fire is to tell its
history, to tell the story and to put to bed those sadistic fact checkers over
at Menlo Park.
First,
we understand that the Holy Fire is a miracle, that has been attested to for over
a thousand years and most likely longer than that. While documented examples of
the Holy Fire can only be traced to 1106 A.D., there have been references to it
well before that. The Holy Fire itself is easy to explain, in that it is a
flame. Yes, an actual fire. If you want, there are numerous YouTube videos
showing the flame and even the current 2022 flame was broadcast on the airways
of YouTube. The flame descends every Holy Saturday, shortly before the Paschal
Vigil later that night. The Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the Holy Sepulchre
every year to the crowd chanting Kyrie Eleison. As he enters the church, he is
stripped of his garments and searched for any sort of material that might be
used to light a flame within the Tomb of Jesus Christ. He is allowed a candle to
receive the flame, but that’s it. An unlit Candle. Now if memory serves, it was
once conducted by the Muslim authorities, who at the time were the rulers of
the Ottoman Empire. Now it is performed by the Jewish community, and since the
Holy Sepulchre is governed by a Muslim family, I am sure that they are present
as well. Once the Patriarch has been given all clear by the non-Christian authorities,
he enters the Tomb of Jesus Christ, where the body of Christ lay. From the
there he is sealed in until he receives the Holy Fire. From what I understand,
he says a set of certain prayers that are asking for the blessing. At this
point different occurrences have happened. The flame either descends in the
form of an actual flame, or in the form of a blue light. For us Orthodox Christians,
blue is the color of the seraphim, so it is always nice to know that the heavenly
powers are watching over us and are also worshipping with us. Once the flame
has been collected by the Patriarch, the flame is then announced to the world
with bells and fanfare. The Patriarch exits the tomb and the candle that is now
lit is used to light the candles of the nearby pilgrims. The fire itself does
not burn. Let me repeat…the fire itself does not burn. While YouTube and
Facebook videos have been taken down to discredit this, there is enough evidence
from those present, including the non-Christians, to tell us otherwise. People
have tried to set their beards, hats, cassocks, and other vestments on fire
once receiving it. For at least the first 33 minutes, representing the years
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was physically present on earth, it will not
burn anything. After this, it becomes a normal flame. But for 33 minutes, it is
exactly like the one ring from Lord of the Rings…cool to the touch. Again, I preface
that Non-Christians are in the building while this occurs. They too are witness
to the miracle.
Now, I could
sit here and drone on and on. But I would be here all day. There are plenty of
videos, that have not been taken down, and there are plenty of witnesses you
can find. I will not try to convince you. But let me tell you of some other
incidents in which the powers that be, thought they could discredit Orthodoxy.
First the Crusaders, who invaded during multiple crusades, have tried time and
again to enter the Sepulchre and obtain the Holy Fire. Unfortunately, they did
not receive it, and thus the Catholic population rioted because they believed that
they were the superior church. Furthermore, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem
also attempted to receive the fire. Now, he was more successful than the Catholics,
but just barely. In fact, the Armenian, prayed and prayed for the fire. When
the fire did come it came in the form of a lightning strike. This lightning strike
struck a nearby pillar which can still be seen to this day, and a crack formed.
The fire however did not light the Armenian patriarch’s candle. Instead, the
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem was standing nearby with a candle and God
saw fit to light his candle instead. Of course, you know that was both
humiliating and infuriating for the Armenian, and I’m sure he was utterly
upset. Finally, I must say this. As an Orthodox Christian, who firmly believes
in the oneness of the Church and thus believes it to be the established Church
of Jesus Christ, it saddens me to know that when the Holy Fire does not descend
and God has withdrawn his blessing from the world, we can expect the Second Coming
to be near. I pray that the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem continues to receive
the Holy Fire for many years to come. I pray that I might experience this
miracle in due course, if the Lord allows. I pray that all men would put aside
their hatred for each other, and those who have a hatred for religion would put
down their hate for us Christians and open their hearts to Jesus Christ. The
Holy Fire is a gift from God that is given to us to show his authority and his
power. No fire-making materials have ever explained the science behind the Holy
Fire. No trick, no scam, no person has ever discredited it. They have tried,
they have failed. Facebook, YouTube, Google, the works have attempted to cause
division and strife in the Orthodox community and have tried to shy people away
from the truth. They will receive their just reward at the Awesome Judgement
Seat of Jesus Christ. Woe to them. I pray for us all, and ask, that as we have
entered the celebration of Pascha, that you pray for me. May God have mercy on
us all.
Amen.
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