On the "Holy Fire"

Reblogged from an Anonymous Source:

Since the alleged miracle of the Holy Fire is a very complex issue, please allow me to leave a link to an extensive related article right here. The article was originally written by me in Greek and translated by the greek atheists for the english version of their blog: "The “Holy Light” of Jerusalem debunked"

In addition to the links I posted above, I thought it might be useful to summarize some facts concerning the alleged miracle:

Until the middle of the 8th century century, the ceremony of the holy fire was in no way linked to any miracle. Not a single earlier source mentions or implies a light descending from heaven.

KALOKYRIS, Konstandinos: Το αρχιτεκτονικό συγκρότημα τού Ναού της Αναστάσεως Ιεροσολύμων και το θέμα του Αγίου Φωτός (english: The building complex of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalemin and the issue of the Holy fire). Thessaloniki, University Studio Press, 1999, p. 164–169. 

The same applies to the prayer recited by the patriarch: not a single word in it mentions or in any way implies a light being sent down by God. The only request we can find is that the flame which the patriarch humbly and piously lights in rememberance of Jesus, may be filled up with His Holy Grace and bless the faithful. No lights coming down from heaven, no candles ignitiing spontaneously, no nothing.

KALOKYRIS, 1999, p. 222–228.

Online: http://onthewaytoithaca.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/the-holy-light-of-jerusalem-debunked/#contents04

The full prayer text can also be found on the website of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, BUT: two crucial parts of the translation are highly misleading:

a. English translation:

So with happy heart and spiritual joy, on this most blessed Saturday, Your most salvific mysteries which You divinely executed on earth and under the earth we celebrate, and we remember You, the exhilarating and appealing light which You divinely shone in the underworld, we celebrate the appearance of the light, Your congenial divine appearance to us.

And here is what the greek text really says:

So with happy heart and spiritual joy, on this most blessed Saturday, Your most salvific mysteries which You divinely executed on earth and under the earth we celebrate, and in rememberance of You, the exhilarating and appealing light which divinely shone in the underworld, we createappearance of light, re-enactingYour congenial divine appearance to us.

b. English translation:

By this, having received with piety, from this, Your light-bearing Tomb we offer it to those believing in You, the true light and ask and supplicate Most Holy Despota that You make this a gift of sanctification and full of Your every divine grace through the grace of your Most Holy and light- bearing Tomb.

Greek original:

By this, we receive with pietyfrom the everlasting light, which is constantly burning on this light-bearing Tomb of Yours and we offer it to those believing in You, the true light and ask and supplicate Most Holy Despota that You make this a gift of sanctification and full of Your every divine grace through the grace of your Most Holy and light-bearing Tomb.
No body search is performed on the patriarch! The removal of his outer vestments is just a part of the ritual expressing humility.

KALOKYRIS, 1999, p. 219.

Also: YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z-NBUyklf8 . User: davidtlig: Miracle of the Holy Fire, Jerusalem 2008, 04.04.2010, 0:29–1:25 (03.07.2011).

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzDaVyWEjtQ . User: Photoplay1999: ΑΓΙΟ ΦΩΣ- holy light (Orthodox easter) Jerusalem. Grizes Zones, PART 1/2. 17.04.2009: 5:16-5:40 (03.07.2011). (In this video, Archbishop Aristarhos of Constantina and Elder Chief Secretary of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, verifies that no body search is performed.)

According to the website of the Jerusalem Patriarchate though:

Following the Holy litany the Patriarch stands in front of the door of the Holy Edicule, removes his ceremonial vestments and waits with his sticharion (white robe), epitrahilion (stole) and his belt. The heterodox examine the Patriarch to ensure he has nothing on Him that could arouse or draw suspicion [...]

And of course, that is a lie.

In 1995, just a few days before the locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Cornelius of Petra, received the Holy Fire in the place of patriarch Irenaeus, he declared in a television interview that the holy fire is a natural light, lit by the patriarch from the Sanctuary Lamp! And then came the big shock: “The miracle is the prayer that hallows the light”. (The light which supposedely comes from heaven!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzDaVyWEjtQ (5:16-5:40, 7:03-7:15).