Negotiations between the Greek Foreign Ministry and the Israeli government are in their final stages to ensure this year’s transfer of the Holy Fire from Jerusalem to Greece.
According to well-informed sources, the Greek Foreign Ministry has been making intensive efforts in recent hours to explore all possibilities for allowing more Orthodox faithful to participate in the Holy Fire ceremony on Holy Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Greek side has submitted a request invoking the ceasefire agreement between the warring parties in the Iran conflict, asking for relaxed security measures to allow more believers currently in Jerusalem to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, Israeli authorities have yet to respond, as a joint decision must be reached between Israeli authorities in coordination with the Patriarchate.
As well-informed sources tell parapolitika.gr, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis maintains open communication with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, to ensure the mission proceeds without problems.
So far, the Foreign Ministry has completed all necessary planning and taken appropriate measures for this year’s delegation to travel to Israel, ensuring the Holy Fire tradition continues for another year, even with minimal representation. However, senior diplomatic sources maintain that “we are prepared for all scenarios. The ceasefire is currently ongoing and nobody knows how it will develop,” leaving open the possibility that the entire mission could be cancelled if the situation deteriorates, though such chances remain minimal. The Greek Foreign Ministry assures that it “will do everything possible to safely transport the Holy Fire to Greece.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Loverdos tells parapolitika.gr that the government aircraft mission is expected to depart early Saturday morning from Athens to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, though the exact time will not be announced due to strict security measures. However, the delegation’s return is scheduled for 7 PM at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, as happens every year, with a reception featuring Head of State honors. Approximately half an hour later, and certainly by 8 PM on Holy Saturday, as Foreign Ministry officials confirm, all domestic flights will depart to distribute the Resurrection Light throughout the country.
