The Parsonage Files

The Secret of Holy Fire - Ep. 5


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Step inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with us on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. The church is packed with believers from many nations. Under the great dome sits the Aedicule, a small stone shrine over the tomb of Jesus. A chant rises. Drummers sway on the shoulders of dancers. Then the room grows still. Israeli police escort the Orthodox Patriarch to the shrine, search him for anything that can burn, and unseal the waxed doors. He enters with two plain candles and prays for God to light them as a sign to the world. A faint glow appears. The doors open. He steps out holding bright flames. People say the fire feels cool. Some lamps seem to light on their own. Many carry bundles of thirty-three thin candles, and the flame spreads person to person until the whole church shines. Is it a miracle, a hoax, or something else? In this video, we walk through the claims and the questions with care.The Parsonage Files is hosted by brothers Rick Birk, a United Methodist pastor, and Rob Birk, coming to you from Groveport, Ohio. www.groveportumc.org



Sources:

  • Connect the Cultures. (2023). *Last Holy Fire before the Israel–Hamas war*. [https://www.connectthecultures.com/last-ho...](https://www.connectthecultures.com/last-ho...)
  • Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World. (n.d.). The Holy Fire? (Miracle, Jerusalem, Hagion Phos) \[Video]. YouTube. [   • The Holy Fire? (Miracle, Jerusalem, Hagion...  ](   • The Holy Fire? (Miracle, Jerusalem, Hagion...  )
  • Klein, D. I. (2024, March 29). *Five years after challenging miracle of Holy Fire, Greek journalist is acquitted*. Religion News Service. [https://religionnews.com/2024/03/29/five-y...](https://religionnews.com/2024/03/29/five-y...)
  • Kokkinidis, T. (2024, May 4). Holy Fire in Jerusalem: A miracle or a scam? Greek Reporter. [https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/04/holy-...](https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/04/holy-...)
  • Krauss, J. (2025, April 19). What’s behind the visually stunning “Holy Fire” ceremony in Jerusalem? AP News. [https://apnews.com/article/religion-christ...](https://apnews.com/article/religion-christ...)
  • Stamatoukou, E. (2024, March 20). *Greek journalist on trial for debunking Holy Fire ritual*. Balkan Insight (BIRN). [https://balkaninsight.com/2024/03/20/greek...](https://balkaninsight.com/2024/03/20/greek...)
  • United Methodist Communications. (2019, August 28). Ask The UMC: Why do we light and extinguish candles during worship? The United Methodist Church. [https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc...](https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc...)
  • Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). *Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem*. In *Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia*. Retrieved \[today’s date], from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek\_Orthodox\_Patriarchate\_of\_Jerusalem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthod...)
  • Winbow, M. (2018, March 21). *Holy Fire: The biggest miracle you’ve (probably) never heard of*. Premier Christianity. [https://www.premierchristianity.com/analys...](https://www.premierchristianity.com/analys...)
  • Interview with Archbishop Isidoros about the Holy Fire \[Video]. (n.d.). YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhZbHG\_APaA](   • A Real Miracle? Holy Fire of Jerusalem Inv...  )
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). *Church of the Holy Sepulchre*. [https://www.britannica.com/place/Holy-Sepu...](https://www.britannica.com/place/Holy-Sepu...)
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). *Gregorian calendar*. [https://www.britannica.com/science/Gregori...](https://www.britannica.com/science/Gregori...)
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). *Julian calendar*. [https://www.britannica.com/science/Julian-...](https://www.britannica.com/science/Julian-...)


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The Parsonage FilesBy Richard Birk