Orna Naor | The Holy Fire Ceremony

The Holy Fire Ceremony
By Orna Naor

Each year, on the eve of Orthodox Easter, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem becomes the heart of the sacred Rite of the Holy Fire, a centuries-old ceremony.
As prayers fill the ancient church, a flame is kindled within the aediculae, which many believe mark the resting place of Jesus. This fire, seen as a miraculous gift from the Holy Spirit, becomes a living symbol of Christ’s resurrection.
Led by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, the ceremony draws priests and faithful from across Christian traditions. Once ignited, the Holy Fire journeys far beyond Jerusalem, carried to churches in cities like Athens, Sofia, Moscow, Belgrade, and Bucharest, uniting believers in a shared moment of wonder each year on the eve of Pascha.

The “Sabbath of Light,” also known as the “Rite of the Holy Fire,” is Jerusalem’s most beloved Orthodox celebration. Every year, on the Saturday before Easter, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher pulses with anticipation. Believers crowd together, eager to witness the miracle: a sacred fire said to descend from Jesus’ tomb, setting both candles and hearts ablaze with wonder.

The miracle begins as the church is swallowed by darkness. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch enters the chapel of the Sepulcher, and after a hushed prayer, a holy fire erupts, dancing from candle to candle, passing from hand to hand in a wave of light.

The fire sweeps swiftly through the vast crowd inside the church, then spills out into the squares and winding alleys of the Old City, reaching the faithful who wait with outstretched hands.

I captured my photographs in the Ethiopian section of the church, where worshippers draped in white fast from sunrise until nightfall. Here, the fire ceremonies unfold as a breathtaking spectacle, offering both a formidable challenge and an electrifying thrill for any photographer.

Orna Naor

“In my work, I pay attention to human movements and gestures, capturing unique and touching moments that show unity and human connection, even in the middle of chaos and injustice.“
– Orna Naor. 2026

Orna Naor is a Street Photographer, a lecturer, and one of the main photojournalist activists at the Israeli protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In her latest special series documenting the demonstrations, Orna focuses mainly on the social aspect, human rights, and conditions in Israeli society.

Her street photography has been exhibited in well-known galleries in Israel and abroad, including the Local Testimony Photojournalism exhibition and various online Street Photography groups. Naor has a unique and creative approach to street photography. She focuses on human moments, on emotions, and on creating her own story. Through the years, her work was published in various street photography books and international publications, including WePhoto Street, World Street Photography 2015, MonoPix, We Street, Art Market Magazine “Gold List,” Israeli and International Lens Magazine.

Website: ornanaor.com | Instagram: @Orna50 | Facebook: @orna.naor.5