Patriarch Kirill Announces Holy Fire Delivered from Jerusalem to Moscow
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, announced the successful delivery of the Holy Fire from Jerusalem to Moscow. The announcement was reported by TASS and confirmed by the St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation, which oversees the travel and hosting arrangements tied to the ceremonial flame.
Patriarch Kirill publicly expressed gratitude to Vladimir Yakunin, who chairs the Foundation’s board of trustees and traveled to Moscow with the Holy Fire. Yakunin has played a key role in coordinating the yearly exchange of sacred symbols that connect the Holy Land with the Russian spiritual center. The patriarch thanked him for his leadership and support in ensuring the continuity of this ancient rite, which remains a central moment in the liturgical calendar for many believers.
During this annual event, the patriarch noted that religious observance can transcend weather and logistical hurdles. He recalled that regardless of political conditions or atmospheric disruptions, believers may still undertake the journey to the Holy Land if they choose. The message underscored the community’s commitment to maintaining a living link between Jerusalem and Moscow through the Holy Fire and the ceremonial transfer to the main cathedral, illustrating the enduring bond between churches and their faithful across borders.
In conjunction with the convergence of the Holy Fire this year, security measures in Jerusalem were heightened to safeguard the prayer gathering at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The city limited participation in the service to a smaller, controlled group, with attendees required to carry special passes to ensure order and safety during the solemn rite. This adjustment reflected the ongoing responsibility to balance sacred tradition with contemporary security concerns, allowing the ceremony to proceed with reverence while maintaining public safety.
Prior to arriving in Moscow, the delegation from the St. Andrew’s First-Called Foundation carried the Holy Fire from Jerusalem to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, continuing a trusted practice that has linked the two sacred sites for generations. The chain of custody for the Holy Fire remains a carefully coordinated process, intended to preserve the sanctity and symbolism of the flame as it travels between holy locations and arrives at its intended place of veneration.
At present, Patriarch Kirill is presiding over a festive Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, marking a moment of spiritual celebration and communal worship for the faithful gathered there. The liturgy serves not only as a ritual of prayer but also as a public reaffirmation of faith, tradition, and the shared heritage that unites Russian Orthodox communities both within the country and abroad. The ceremony continues to attract attention from worshippers, clergy, and observers who seek to understand the spiritual significance of the Holy Fire within contemporary religious practice (Source: TASS).