For the 11th time, Holy Fire was delivered to the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. In connection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic and the lack of regular flights, the exceptional delivery was possible thanks to a special LOT Polish Airlines flight from Israel.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic and the numerous restrictions on air traffic around the world, a delegation of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church was able to bring the Holy Fire to Poland. Appearing on Holy Saturday in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Holy Fire was flown to Poland on Saturday, April 18. It was transported in lamps specially approved for the flight on board LOT Polish Airlines from Tel Aviv. The event was organized by the newly appointed ‘Brotherhood of the Holy Fire’.
“The arrival of the Holy Fire to Poland is a huge gift and a special blessing from God for the Polish Church, its faithful and our homeland. The Blessed Fire came down at 12.48 Polish time in the Basilica of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. The rite of light has traditionally been presided over by the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem,” the Chancellery of the Orthodox Metropolitan of Warsaw and the whole of Poland reported in a press release.
After landing at Warsaw Chopin Airport, a solemn welcome was held in the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene in Warsaw. The Holy Fire was then transported to many Orthodox parishes in Poland.
“As a national carrier, we are proud that in this difficult time of restrictions associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic, we were able to help the Polish Church. Thanks to the special training of deck crew members, certified lamps and cooperation with the Civil Aviation Office, we were able to efficiently and safely bring the Holy Fire to Poland,” says Michał Czernicki, spokesman for LOT Polish Airlines.
From 2010, a delegation of the Polish Church has gone on Holy Saturday (or the day before) to Jerusalem, where in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher the miracle of fire descending from the grave of Christ occurs. The fire then goes to the metropolitan cathedral in Warsaw, and from there to individual dioceses. In 2014, in Białystok, Holy Fire was also given to Catholics, because Easter in both rites fell on the same date.
Press Centre 
