Preparations are underway in Jerusalem for the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, taking place against a backdrop of heightened military alert and deep religious solemnity. The Old City, closed for 41 days due to hostilities, has reopened for the occasion — lending this year’s ceremony rare symbolic weight as a brief moment of calm amid the wider Middle East conflict.
A Diplomatic and Security Balancing Act
Israeli police measures remain stringent, with attendance inside the church strictly capped at 50 people. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has fully briefed foreign diplomatic missions on the emergency protocols that will remain in effect.
Greece is upholding its decades-long tradition with an official government delegation. Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Loverdos, leading the mission, departed by special flight for Tel Aviv on Saturday morning.
The government aircraft is expected to land at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport at approximately 19:00, marking the start of an airlift operation to distribute the Holy Fire across the country.
Immediately after the Athens arrival, the Holy Fire will be transported to 11 destinations via a coordinated schedule of AEGEAN and Olympic Air flights: Thessaloniki (21:05), Kavala (21:15), Mykonos (20:15), Samos (20:30), Chios (21:25), Kos (21:30), Zakynthos (20:50), Ioannina (21:25), Kefalonia (21:50), Limnos (20:50) and Volos (20:40).
Cyprus
Parallel arrangements are in place for Cyprus, where the Holy Fire is expected to arrive at Larnaca’s Glafcos Clerides Airport at 17:00 on a direct flight from Tel Aviv. Representatives of the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre will receive it and oversee its rapid distribution to parishes across the island.
Despite the charged atmosphere and security challenges, authorities in Athens, Nicosia and Jerusalem worked in close coordination to ensure the Easter message reaches the faithful on time — a testament, officials said, to the enduring power of tradition even in times of crisis.
