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[[Image:Holy Fire-Rotunda.jpg|right|thumb|The Holy Fire at the Rotunda of the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre|Cathedral of the Holy Sepulchre]] in Jerusalem on [[Holy Saturday]].]][[Image:Holysepulchre.jpg|right|thumb|The Tomb of Christ, within the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre|Cathedral of the Holy Sepulchre]], from which the [[Patriarch ]] (or presiding archbishop) of Jerusalem emerges with the Fire.]]The '''Holy LightFire''' (Greek 'Αγιος Φως, or ''literally "Holy Fire''Light") is a [[miracle ]] that occurs every year at the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]] in [[Jerusalem]] on [[Holy Saturday]], the day preceding [[Pascha]]. It is considered by many to be the longest -attested annual miracle in the Christian world, though the event has only been documented consecutively since 1106. In many Orthodox countries around the world the event is televised live.

The ceremony begins at noon when the [[Patriarchof Jerusalem]] of Jerusalem or another Orthodox [[Archbishop]] recites a specific prayer. The faithful gathered will then chant "Lord, have mercy" (''Kyrie eleison'' in Greek) until the Holy Fire descends on a lamp of olive oil held by the patriarch while he is alone in the tomb chamber of [[Jesus Christ]]. The patriarch will then emerge from the tomb chamber, recite some prayers, and light either 33 or 12 [[Candle|candles ]] to distribute to the faithful.

The fire is also said to spontaneously light other lamps and candles around the church. Pilgrims say the Holy Fire will not burn hair, faces, etc. , in the first 33 minutes after it is ignited. Before entering the Lord's Tomb, the patriarch or presiding archbishop is inspected by Israeli authorities to prove that he does not carry the technical means to light the fire. This investigation used to be carried out by Turkish soldiers.

The Holy Fire is first mentioned in the documents dating from the 4th century. A detailed description of the miracle is contained in the travelogue of the Russian [[igumen]] Daniel, who was present at the ceremony in 1106. Daniel mentions a blue incandescence descending from the dome to the [[w:aedicule|edicula ]] where the patriarch awaits the holy fireHoly Fire. Some claim to have witnessed this incandescence in modern times.

During the many centuries of the miracle's history, the Holy Fire is said to have descended on certain other occasions, usually when heterodox [[clergy]]men attempted to obtain it. According to the tradition, in 1099, for example, the failure of Crusaders to obtain the fire led to street riots in Jerusalem. It is also claimed that in 1579, the Armenian patriarch prayed day and night in order to obtain the Holy Fire, but the Fire miraculously struck a column near the entrance and lit a candle held by the Orthodox patriarch standing nearby. Upon entering the temple, many Orthodox Christians venerate this column, which bears marks and a large crack attributed to the bolt of lightening lightning from the Holy Fire. ==See also==* [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]]

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Fire wikipedia[Wikipedia:Holy Fire]]* [http://www.holyfire.org/eng/ A Russian site with info on Description of the Miracle of Holy Light (Holy Fire) that happens every year in Jerusalem]* [http://wwwweb.holylightarchive.grorg/web/20070623042601/enmain.html A Greek site detailing the events of the miracle]* [http://www.wildlife-photoholylight.orggr/gallery/Holy-Fire-enmain.html Holy-Light?page=4 A Photogallery with images : The Great Miracle of the Fire from 2005Christ](archive)* [http://www.interfax-religion.com/print.php?act=news&id=1573 Russian scientists ready to study Holy Fire]