The Miracle of the Holy Fire: Light, Place, and Christian Memory in Jerusalem
An exploration of the Holy Fire tradition and how it became one of the most enduring miracle accounts in the historical life of Christianity.
The Miracle of the Holy Fire is a tradition centered on a recurring event said to occur each year in Jerusalem, becoming notable in Christian history through its long association with the celebration of Easter and its connection to one of Christianity’s most important sacred sites. Classified as a miracle within Christian tradition, the Holy Fire refers to the appearance of a flame during a liturgical ceremony held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. Its historical significance lies not only in the account of the flame itself but in how this event shaped Christian ritual, pilgrimage, and collective memory across centuries.
