The Metropolis of Bessarabia announced that it will bring the Holy Fire to the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, clergy from the Metropolis of Moldova say they are waiting for authorization from Israeli authorities to allow their delegation to travel to Jerusalem.
Representatives of the Metropolis of Bessarabia told Radio Moldova that this year they will bring the Holy Light from Iasi, where the aircraft carrying it will land after receiving a special flight corridor agreed with authorities in Bucharest.
“According to tradition, we will bring the Holy Fire again this year for the faithful who await the Feast of the Resurrection. It will arrive in Iasi by plane and then travel overland to communities within the metropolises, so believers can share the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” said Gabriel Andrei Gherasa, administrative vicar of the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
In Jerusalem, clergy will hold only the services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the Holy Light is kindled, before it is transported to Romania and Moldova.
“We have prepared the arrival of the Holy Light in Romania, even under more difficult conditions, through a special flight corridor from Ben Gurion Airport on Holy Saturday. We hope the situation remains stable and that we will meet safely at Henri Coanda International Airport,” said Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in Jerusalem.
Siluan Salari, Bishop of Orhei and vicar of the Metropolis of Moldova, stated that the delegation is ready to travel but has not yet received authorization from Israeli authorities.
“If we receive authorization for this corridor, we will inform you. We want to continue the tradition of bringing the Holy Light, but given the complicated situation in the Holy Land, we are waiting for confirmation from Israel,” he said.
Authorities have canceled several traditional processions in Israel due to the war in the region. Clergy will hold the Resurrection service at the Holy Sepulchre only in the presence of priests, similar to the pandemic period. Only Theophilos III of Jerusalem and a limited number of clergy will access the site, while believers will not attend the ceremony or the lighting of the Holy Light.