The Holy Fire, Miracle, or Myth?
What is Fire?
All of us take the gift of fire for granted.
Like many things in our fallen broken world, it is both a blessing and a curse.
Fire like all of creation is more than itself.
The Bible describes God as a "consuming fire".
The Person of the Holy Spirit is also described in terms of a fire that brings God’s presence, God’s passion, and God’s purity. (Read How is the Holy Spirit like a fire?)
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush that was not consumed.
But what of the Holy Fire?
Can we have faith that God is manifesting fire?
Let's have a look at the Holy Fire Miracle or Myth.
"The ordinary process of combustion, for which the Hebrew generally has , in Daniel (Aramaic) , and, with reference to the accompanying heat and glow, and ; while is a corrupt ἄπαξ λεγόμενον), the derivation of which from is not certain, is a technical sacerdotal term for burnt offering. The materials for making fires (see Fuel) were wood, charcoal, thorns, and dung. Rubbing pieces of wood against each other, a primitive method ofgetting fire, was apparently in use among the Hebrews. This at least seems to be the more probable meaning of the word "meḳoshesh" (gathering), used in describing the act of the Sabbath-breaker (Num. xv. 32-33; see I Kings xvii. 12, "shenayim 'eẓim" = "two sticks"). Jewish legend (see Adam, Book of) maintains that Adam and Eve were shown this method of making fire. In II Macc. x. 3 reference is made to the method of procuring fire by striking steel against flint. The fire-stone ("ḥallamish") was certainly known to the Hebrews, though the Biblical references to it simply emphasize its hardness, and give no intimations concerning its use for the purpose of ignition. In domestic life fire was kindled to prepare food, to bake bread or cakes, to give warmth (Ex. xii. 8; II Chron. xxxv. 13; I Kings xvii. 12; Isa. xliv. 16; Jer. vii. 18, xxxvi. 22). The ancient Hebrews rarely needed fire to heat their dwellings. They occasionally used braziers ("aḥ"), though the larger houses were provided with "winter rooms" (Amos iii. 15), which had excavations for the aḥ, the heat being preserved as long as possible by means of a carpet or rug placed over the charcoal (Nowack, "Lehrbuch der Hebräischen Archäologie," i. 141; Benzinger, "Arch." p. 124).." from the article Fire
Video from Christian Youth Channel
"Curious about the divine mysteries of Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher? 🌟 Discover the groundbreaking renovation led by scientists from the Technical University of Athens. Ever heard of the Holy Fire ceremony? Learn about this miraculous event witnessed by thousands each year. Want to dive deeper? Explore historical accounts and scientific analyses affirming the awe-inspiring nature of this annual phenomenon. Ready to embark on a journey of faith and revelation? Let's go! 🕊️✨
Enjoy the documentary written by Dr. Hani Ashamalla and Directed by Emad Beshay." from the video introduction
"Where and when does the miracle occur?
The ceremony, which awes the souls of Christians, takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. The date for Pascha is determined anew for every year. It must be a first Sunday after the spring equinox and Jewish Passover. Therefore, most of the time it differs from the date of Catholic and Protestant Easter, which is determined using different criteria. The Holy Fire is the most renowned miracle in the world of Eastern Orthodoxy. IIt has taken place at the same time, in the same manner, in the same place every single year for centuries. No other miracle is known to occur so regularly and so steadily over time. No other miracle is known to occur so regularly and so steadily over time. It happens in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the holiest place on earth[2], where Christ was crucified, entombed, and where He finally rose from the dead.
up to content Ceremony of Holy Light
In order to be as close to the Sepulchre as possible, pilgrims camp next to it. The Sepulchre is located in the small chapel called Holy Ciborium, which is inside the Church of the Resurrection. Typically they wait from the afternoon of Holy Friday in anticipation of the miracle on Holy Saturday. Beginning at around 11:00 in the morning the Christian Arabs chant traditional hymns in a loud voice. These chants date back to the Turkish occupation of Jerusalem in the 13th century, a period in which the Christians were not allowed to chant anywhere but in the churches. "We are the Christians, we have been Christians for centuries, and we shall be forever and ever. Amen!" - they chant at the top of their voices accompanied by the sound of drums. The drummers sit on the shoulders of others who dance vigorously around the Holy Ciborium. But at 1:00 pm the chants fade out, and then there is a silence. A tense silence, charged from the anticipation of the great demonstration of God's power for all to witness.
Shortly thereafter, a delegation from the local authorities elbows its way through the crowd. At the time of the Turkish occupation of Palestine they were Muslim Turks; today they are Israelis. Their function is to represent the Romans at the time of Jesus. The Gospels speak of the Romans that went to seal the tomb of Jesus, so that his disciples would not steal his body and claim he had risen. In the same way the Israeli authorities on this Holy Saturday come and seal the tomb with wax. Before they seal the door, they follow a custom to enter the tomb, and to check for any hidden source of fire, which would make a fraud of the miracle.[1,2].." from the website: holyfire.org