Holy Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

[Nikti]

So I know of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the place of the death and Resurrection but didn't know this happened every year!

1) how amazing is it?! Anyone had the privilege of seeing the ceremony and the Holy Fire in person?

2) why have I not seen or heard more about it around in other Christian circles?! Literally just found out this morning that such a thing exists.

 

[ArmyMatt]

why have I not seen or heard more about it around in other Christian circles?! Literally just found out this morning that such a thing exists.

haha, I remember thinking this way when I found out about it. the Orthodox have many public, yearly miracles

 

[~Anastasia~]

haha, I remember thinking this way when I found out about it. the Orthodox have many public, yearly miracles

And ditto ... I felt exactly the same way, and then was just as surprised to hear about the cloud on Mt. Tabor, the reversal of the Jordan at Theophany, Panagia's snakes ...

 

[prodromos]

And they all occur according to the old calendar
Here's hoping the calendar issue gets sorted next year.

 

[~Anastasia~]

And they all occur according to the old calendar
Here's hoping the calendar issue gets sorted next year.

I must have heard something wrongly then. Someone wrote (I think it was a blog post, I THINK about the snakes) that it was according to the New. Which was actually odd the way they made it sound - but what do I know?

I do wish we were all on the same calendar. Though - when I'm in a big city it means extra opportunities to attend the Divine Liturgy. But I was thinking a few weeks ago what that means as far as following the liturgical year, and I suppose it's not good ...

 

[buzuxi02]

I must have heard something wrongly then. Someone wrote (I think it was a blog post, I THINK about the snakes) that it was according to the New. Which was actually odd the way they made it sound - but what do I know?
..

I think he means the miracles in the Holy Land. The snakes of the Church of the Virgin in Cephalonia occur August 15 new style. Although I imagine they arrived old calendar at one time as the miracle predates the calendar change

 

[~Anastasia~]

I think he means the miracles in the Holy Land. The snakes of the Church of the Virgin in Cephalonia occur August 15 new style. Although I imagine they arrived old calendar at one time as the miracle predates the calendar change

Hmmmm. Just a bit more confusion. I did not realize these things. Somehow I find it fitting though if some appear according to old calendar, and some according to new - just given the fact that I don't believe any of the Church is outside of the grace of God over such an issue. But I don't know that much about it.

 

[buzuxi02]

Well the church in the holy land uses the old calendar so it would occur during those feast days. The snakes of the Panaghia occurs in Greece who follow the revised julian calendar (new)

 

[prodromos]

Ah, I wasn't aware of when the snakes appeared, only the miracles which occur in Jerusalem, Mt Tabor and the Jordan river. My own church is on the revised Julian calendar, but I would happily return to the old calendar despite the difficulties it would cause with the dates of holidays on the secular calendar. I believe the liturgical unity across the Orthodox Church would be worth any difficulties that arise. Plus the post Christmas sales are a bonus

 

[~Anastasia~]

I thought you were new calendar, Prodromos.

Buzuxi, that makes a great deal of sense if the miracles occur on schedule with the calendar of the locals. I could make extrapolations but that could be dangerous. Best not.

I agree it would be good to be unified in this. Only one thing - this is my first real Nativity Fast (I was a bit out of touch and often out of town last year) and. you're. suggesting. it. would. continue. into. the. second. week. of. January?!!!?

I'm surprisingly not struggling with the fast itself really, but I also know it ends on Dec. 25 Christmas. With no one in my family being Orthodox - keeping it up into January would be - maybe not even good for family relations. My birthday is within that period as well ...

Of course, I'm not suggesting my own trivialities take precedence over the Church. It would take some getting used to though.

 

[buzuxi02]

Well the fast would start 13 days later as well. I think for most cradles it would easier as they usually don't fast till final week of christmas. Meaning the younger generation doesn't even fast then as they all are invited to secular Christmas parties.

 

[~Anastasia~]

How did I end up with a 40-day fast then? And no Christmas parties here either - the only folks I still have are at Church so when we do get together it's Lenten.

 

[buzuxi02]

It is 40 days. But the cradles are so lax with fasting and throw in the "holiday" parties they are invited to. So having the final week of the fast after all the secular festivities eliminates all the temptations. In the U.S., there is that thanksgiving falls on Lent but will usually fall right before lent on old calendar.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Well, everyone pretty much took it as ok to have Thanksgiving Day (at least the people I ate with) but they did have the Church Luncheon for Thanksgiving at the beginning of November, saying that many wouldn't eat if they waited until the fast began. Leftovers went to non-Orthodox friends. We do have a Christmas meal together at Church tomorrow, but it has to be Lenten.

I don't know. Father says the expectation is that we will keep it, barring any medical complication. I do know we are not supposed to be ungracious guests. But any conversation I hear on the topic seems to presume everyone will observe fasts. Mostly any conversation directed to me is to make sure I understand how it works.


Maybe it depends on the parish?