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Pilgrims Mark Orthodox Easter in Jerusalem

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  • Pilgrims Mark Orthodox Easter in Jerusalem

    Pilgrims Mark Orthodox Easter in Jerusalem

    By IAN DEITCH
    .c The Associated Press


    JERUSALEM (AP) - A sea of flames illuminated Christianity's holiest
    shrine, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, as thousands of pilgrims
    took part Saturday in the holy fire ceremony, a key event in the
    Orthodox Easter rituals.

    The event passed peacefully despite plans by protesters to block the
    participation of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Irineos
    I. Demonstrators, who object to the Patriarch's alleged role in a
    controversial land deal, were kept away by the hundreds of Israeli
    police who set up barricades throughout the alleys leading to the
    Jerusalem holy site.

    The shrine, marking the site where tradition says Jesus was crucified
    and buried, was filled with thousands of pilgrims. Hundreds more
    waited outside.

    At the start of the ceremony, church leaders descended into the
    underground burial area. The faithful clutched their bundles of unlit
    candles and torches while waiting in the darkened church for a flame
    to emerge from the tomb.

    Some Christians believe the flame appears spontaneously, as a message
    from Jesus that he has not forgotten his followers.

    When church leaders, including Irineos, emerged with a lighted torch,
    a cheer arose, and the flames were passed around, illuminating the
    church within seconds.

    Tensions were high ahead of the ceremony.

    The Greek Orthodox Church is in turmoil over a deal in which the
    church reportedly leased prime property in disputed east Jerusalem to
    Jewish investors.

    The alleged land deal is politically explosive because Israel claims
    all of Jerusalem, while Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the
    capital of a future state. Jewish land purchases in east Jerusalem are
    seen as bolstering Israel's claim to that section of the city.

    In the past the ceremony has also been a flashpoint between different
    Orthodox denominations, who have argued over protocol at the ceremony.

    About a dozen Greek and Armenian clergymen briefly scuffled over who
    would be first to emerge with the flames, but they were quickly pulled
    apart by Israeli police stationed inside the church.

    Custody of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is shared by a number of
    denominations that jealously guard their responsibilities under a
    fragile network of agreements hammered out over the last millennia.

    ``Every year there is always tight security, but maybe this year it is
    even tighter because of the land deal,'' said Matthew Doll, 30, a
    pilgrim who waited outside the church.

    Protesters had vowed to bar Irineos from the ceremony, but were kept
    away by the police, said Dimitri Diliani, the head of a Palestinian
    Christian coalition who have been spearheading the protests.

    The reported deal has stirred anger among Palestinians who feel
    betrayed by the church.

    At a rare news conference last month, Irineos told reporters he was
    unaware of the alleged transactions, and that he was not involved in
    any deal which was reportedly signed by Nikos Papadimas, the church
    financial officer who vanished three months ago.

    Papadimas is wanted in Greece after Greek Orthodox Church officials in
    Athens accused him of absconding with $800,000 in church funds. His
    wife is wanted on separate charges of money laundering. Separately, a
    European arrest warrant has been issued against Papadimas, Greek
    officials said.

    But as the flames emerged from the tomb, church bells pealed and
    tensions melted away.

    ``This is one of the most beautiful and spiritual experience of my
    life,'' said Jonathan Parish, 42, of Boston. ``I have dreamt of being
    in the presence of the holy fire for a long time.''



    04/30/05 17:51 EDT
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