Thousands mark Easter eve in Jerusalem Orthodox church

JERUSALEM

Thousands of Orthodox Christians gathered in the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to hold their "Holy Fire" ceremony on the eve of their Easter celebrations.

Each year, Orthodox Christians rush to the church in commemoration of the day of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

On Saturday, they lit candles from the “Holy Fire”.

Israeli police established iron barricades on all the streets of the old city leading up to the church.

Israeli police spokesperson Luba Samiri said ritual ended without any incident.

The “Holy Fire” will next travel to other Orthodox countries such as Russia, Greece, Armenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Russia, Serbia, Moldova and Jordan.