Holy Fire delivered to Minsk

A particle of the Easter Holy Fire was brought from Jerusalem to Moscow by plane by a delegation of the St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation, where it was met by representatives of the Synodal Department for Pilgrimage Development and the Transfer of Shrines of the Belarusian Exarchate. Representatives of the dioceses of the Belarusian Orthodox Church will light their lamps from it and pass a particle on to their parishioners.
 “We human beings need our faith to be reinforced by special signs and phenomena. It is very important for us not only to pray but also to receive responses to our prayers through the resolution of life’s problems, the healing of the sick, and protection from troubles and dangers,” Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, previously told journalists.

The bishop noted that there are many cases where people do not even ask, yet the Lord, out of His love and foreknowledge, reveals what inspires them. One such event, deeply moving and emotionally significant for the entire Orthodox world, is the descent of the Holy Fire on Holy Saturday, the eve of Easter.

On this day, believers gather at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to offer prayers. And the Holy Fire descends to illuminate everyone, both those present in the church and those to whom it will later be delivered.

“This contact with the shrine, with the Holy Sepulchre from which the Holy Fire is brought forth, sanctifies the whole world, countries, and peoples, inspires people, and strengthens their faith. It is a sign of God’s special providential love for humanity, so that our faith may be strong, filled with joy, love, and gratitude to God,” said Metropolitan Veniamin.