Orthodox Christians gather at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem on Saturday, April 11, for the Holy Fire ceremony - the ancient and iconic ritual held annually on Orthodox Holy Saturday.

The Greek patriarch enters the Holy Edicule - the Tomb of Christ - and reappears holding two lit candles, reportedly lit by a miraculous flame, which is then shared around the Orthodox world.

Israeli restrictions on access to the church were recently lifted, which the authorities said were due to security reasons amid the Iran war. Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pazziballa was prevented from holding Palm Sunday Mass last week.