The Fire is Coming!

This week was holy week for the Eastern Christians across the globe (Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Syriac Orthodox). That means that once again we have the privilege of seeing our city come alive with energy as thousands of Christian pilgrims come here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One tradition of the Greek Orthodox in celebration of this event is to hold a service on the day of the resurrection (which was today) called the "Holy Fire". For this celebration they gather in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where they believe the tomb of Jesus exists (And to where the most positive archaeological evidence for the tomb points). They gather in complete darkness until one candle is lit inside the tomb of Jesus and then from that candle other candles are lit beginning at the tomb until the entire church is alight with "Holy Fire".

Then from here they take the fire and they go to houses throughout the city to light candles in each home of those celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. The fire is even taken to outlying cities throughout the region with great anticipation. For example, we have friends from Bethlehem who say that on this day the believers in Jesus anxiously await the arrival of the flame from the tomb of Jesus. They whisper like excited children whisper as they await the arrival of Santa Claus (with greater reason might I add) and they proclaim to each other, "the fire is coming". The excitement builds as news of the the resurrection of Jesus spreads from Jerusalem throughout the land. The climax comes as the fire arrives and as people proclaim "The Messiah is Arisen"!

I imagine the first Easter when the news spread from the tomb of Jesus throughout the land and the excitement among those who followed Jesus learned of his victory over death. I imagine the excited whispers and the overwhelming joy. I imagine the bonds they must have felt when they encountered others who shared the "holy fire". I can feel the joy that they must have felt and I sense the confusion and disappointment that Jesus' opponents must have shared to know that not even crucifixion kept his fire from burning.

How can it be that this "Holy Fire" made it to millions of homes throughout the world since that time but the excitement and wonder that it brings has been reduced to a 1 hour service on a Sunday morning? As for me, on this matter I choose the Greek way of remembering and I pray for the joy, the wonder, and the outright excitement that comes from the "Holy Fire".