On April 18, 2025, a significant pilgrimage event took place as Metropolitan Evgeny blessed a group of Ural pilgrims at Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg, preparing to journey to the Holy Land for the Благодатный огонь (Holy Fire). This annual event is a cherished tradition for Orthodox Christians, culminating in the delivery of a piece of the sacred fire back to Yekaterinburg on Easter night.
The Ural pilgrims are set to witness the miraculous descent of the Благодатный огонь in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a site of profound religious significance where, according to tradition, the fire descends every Great Saturday, just before Orthodox Easter. This year, the fire is expected to arrive in Yekaterinburg on the night of April 20, 2025, where it will be taken to the Holy Trinity Cathedral and subsequently distributed to churches throughout the region.
Metropolitan Evgeny emphasized the importance of this pilgrimage, stating, "Between the Holy Land and Russia, there has always been a connection, and it is the pilgrims who have been that link, traveling by foot, ferry, or other means to pray. Today, our pilgrims will also become that thread of connection. This is very important to me. I hope that through our collective prayer, the fire will descend this year, that its part will arrive for Easter and will accompany us in a procession through the streets of Yekaterinburg."
The pilgrimage is organized by the St. Catherine Foundation, which has been instrumental in facilitating these journeys for many years. This particular trip marks the 22nd visit to the Holy Land for Archpriest Maxim Minyaylo, who leads the Ural delegation.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Russian Foundation of Andrew the First-Called also arrived in Jerusalem on the same day for the Благодатный огонь. They visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and other sacred sites, including the Alexander Compound and the Kukuklia, where the fire is expected to descend. Vladimir Yakunin, the head of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, expressed the significance of the Jerusalem Church, stating, "I want to say that the Jerusalem Church is the mother for all Orthodox denominations. This place is our home."
Yakunin also praised the efforts of the Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilus III in strengthening the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The Благодатный огонь, also known as the Holy Light, is a revered symbol of the Resurrection of Christ and is traditionally brought back to Russia, where it is distributed among various churches.
In preparation for the descent of the Благодатный огонь, security measures have been heightened around the Old City of Jerusalem. Authorities anticipate a significantly higher number of visitors this year, attributed to many airlines resuming flights to Israel amidst an improving security situation. Major police presence has been established to ensure the safety of pilgrims and visitors during this sacred event.
According to Israeli police officer Michael Zingerman, "Today, there will be a huge number of pilgrims from all over the world. Hundreds of police officers are concentrated inside the Old City of Jerusalem and on the approaches to it. Special units, dog handlers, and bomb squads are all deployed to ensure the safety of those inside the temple and in Jerusalem as a whole."
As the Благодатный огонь descends, it symbolizes the uncreated light of the Resurrection, and is witnessed by thousands of pilgrims. Last year, several thousand people were able to witness the miracle, with previous years seeing around 10,000 pilgrims inside the temple during the event.
In Yekaterinburg, preparations are underway for the arrival of the Благодатный огонь, with plans to install 2.5-meter tall Easter egg figures throughout the city in celebration of the holiday. These figures will be placed at significant sites including the Bolshoi Zlatoust temple, St. Catherine's Chapel, and on Vainer Street. Additionally, the local metropolis traditionally prepares and blesses 5,000 Easter cakes for medical workers as a gesture of gratitude.
The Благодатный огонь will be transported back to Russia on the Roscosmos plane named "Sergei Korolev," after which it will be distributed to various cities in the border regions of Russia, including Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk, among others.
The upcoming Easter celebrations are not only a time for religious observance but also a moment for communities to come together, reflecting the deep ties that exist between the Holy Land and the Russian Orthodox Church.
As the pilgrims embark on their journey, they carry with them the hopes and prayers of their communities, embodying a tradition that spans centuries and reinforces the spiritual connection between believers and their faith.
