04/07/2026
Greece is gearing up for the annual Holy Fire transfer from Jerusalem, but this year the ceremony is taking place under unusually tight security conditions in the Old City.
The Holy Fire is lit each year on Holy Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most sacred sites in Christianity. This year, access to the church has been severely restricted, with only a small number of clergy members permitted inside and entry through major gates tightly regulated.
Palm Sunday services at the Holy Sepulchre were already held without congregants present, signaling just how strict the lockdown has become. Increased police presence is being maintained across key areas of Jerusalem's Old City, with movement restricted for virtually all visitors.
On Holy Saturday, when the ceremony itself takes place, conditions are expected to tighten further. Reports indicate that only permanent residents of the Old City may be granted limited access during the day.
Greek authorities are already working through several contingency plans for transporting the flame back to Greece. The primary option is a direct flight from Israel, but alternative routes through Jordan or Egypt's Sinai Peninsula are also being considered depending on how the security situation develops.
Final logistics will be confirmed closer to the ceremony as conditions on the ground become clearer. The Holy Fire is flown to Athens each year and then distributed to Greek Orthodox churches across the country and the diaspora.
