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Holy Fire arrives in Moscow from Jerusalem

The capsule was delivered to Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral for the Easter night service that will be led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia

© Sergei Fadeichev/TASS

MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/. A special flight carrying a capsule containing the Holy Fire that descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem earlier on Saturday has landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, a TASS correspondent reported.

All believers will have a chance to light a candle from the Holy Fire. Hundreds of worshippers gathered at Vnukovo airport to take the Holy Fire to parishes across the country.

A capsule containing the Holy Fire from Jerusalem has been brought to the Easter service at Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, a TASS correspondent reported.

The clergy lit candles from Holy Fire followed by worshippers in attendance and the light of thousands of candles illuminated the Cathedral.

Hundreds of believers earlier welcomed the Holy Fire at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport to light candles from it and carry the Holy Fire to parishes across the country.

On the eve of Orthodox Easter, the Holy Fire descends in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre's Edicule, a chapel built over the burial place of Jesus Christ, during a prayer delivered by the Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine. After the fire's descent, the Patriarch passes it over to believers who light 33 candles tied together - a candle for each year of Christ's life.

The Holy Fire was first brought to Moscow in 1992, while since 2003, its delivery is arranged by the Apostle Andrew the First Called Foundation.

On the eve of Orthodox Easter, the Holy Fire descends in the Edicule, a chapel built over the burial place of Jesus Christ, during a prayer delivered by the Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine. After the fire's descent, the Patriarch passes it over to believers who light 33 candles tied together - a candle for each year of Christ's life. In spite of numerous attempts, no one has been able to work out the origin of the fire.

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