Live from East Jerusalem, Orthodox Christians gather at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday, April 19, for the Holy Fire ceremony, one of the most important Easter rituals in the Christian calendar.

The annual event takes place on Great Saturday, the day before Orthodox Easter, drawing thousands to the church believed to mark the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.

The Greek Patriarch traditionally enters the tomb to pray and emerges holding the flame, believed to be lit miraculously by the Holy Spirit. The fire is shared from candle to candle, lighting up the church.

This year’s ceremony follows the discovery of an ancient garden beneath the site, with olive trees and grapevines dating back 2,000 years, which some believe support Biblical accounts associated with the area.