site.btaHoly Fire to Reach Romania Despite Middle East Crisis

Despite the crisis in the Middle East, the Holy Fire from Jerusalem will be brought to Romania on Holy Saturday, April 11, following an agreement reached with the support of the Romanian and Israeli authorities. The news was reported by local media, citing information from the representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Land, Archimandrite Fr. Ioan Meiu.

"Thanks to the intervention of the Romanian Embassy in Israel, we received a flight route from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, departing from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. With God's help, we will arrive in Bucharest on Holy Saturday on a special flight," the archimandrite said, adding: "I hope the situation does not escalate and that we will be able to successfully carry out this beautiful mission and great blessing for the Romanian Orthodox faith."

The Holy Fire has been brought to Romania every year since 2009. Upon its arrival in the country, priests and clergy from all dioceses of the Romanian Orthodox Church take portions of the flame to carry to churches for the Easter service.

The Holy Fire will be received at the Patriarchal Cathedral by Patriarch Daniel of Romania during a special ceremony.