I don't see how someone could not believe in it without claiming that the Patriarchs of Jerusalem and other Orthodox bishops have been involved in a hoax to intentionally deceive the masses over many centuries. Who would join such a church? One would have to wonder what other mass deceptions have the bishops of the Orthodox Church been perpetuating for centuries if this were indeed a hoax.
Exactly. All I can say, is that it had better be real!
There was another thread on this subject recently, where I posted the following:
This is a good article in response to various critics concerning the Holy Fire:
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/30198.htmThe book, "I saw the Holy Light" is also good and contains an eye witness of the appearance of the Holy Fire in the sepulchre:
http://www.holyfire.org/eng/AchileousISawHolyLight.htmArchimandrite Savas, the author describes what he saw:
My excitement had reached a fearful peak; Yet I was so immersed in an endless silence that I could hardly hear my own breath. Suddenly came the sound of a soft whistling. It was similar to a fine breeze of wind. And immediately, an unforgettable sight, a blue LIGHT filled the entire Tomb. That blue LIGHT, was going round and round exactly as a strong whirlwind, whose force uproots the tallest trees, grasps them, and carries them off. The restless blue LIGHT gyrated about with lightning speed and then the movements slowed down.
Within that LIGHT I saw very clearly the Patriarch. Drops of perspiration trickled down his face. As he was kneeling, he placed his finger at the opening in the Holy Book where the 'candle' was. In the meantime, he placed on the Tomb four bundles, each containing 33 candles. When the mysterious LIGHT changed to a steady glow {93} the Patriarch opened to the 'candle' page and he began to read the prayers.
The then somewhat calm blue LIGHT, began again an uneasy movement. It was an unimaginable and indescribable whirling, stronger than the first. Immediately it began to change into an all-white LIGHT, as at the Transfiguration of Christ (Mathew 17:2). Gradually the all white LIGHT began to take the form of a disc, brilliant as the sun, and stopped motionless precisely over the head of the Patriarch. I saw the Patriarch take in his hands the bundles of candles. He raised them and waited. He was awaiting the arrival of the elusive LIGHT from God. As he raised his hands slowly, not quite reaching the height of his head, instantaneously as if he were touching a lighted furnace, the Holy Kantila and the four bundles of candles lit. In an instant that bright disc vanished before me.
My eyes filled with tears. I felt shivers in my spine while my whole body was burning. I had the feeling that untamed flames of an incandescent furnace enveloped me. My entire body was soaked in perspiration, while my mind, heart, and soul seemed paralyzed at the heavenly revelation of the Holy LIGHT.
The Patriarch, deeply touched, and in a state of bliss, departed. Out of reverence for the Holy space of the Tomb, he bent his head low and backed out to enter the chamber of the Holy Stone. In his hands were the bundles {94} of candles lit by the flames of the Divine LIGHT. Here was evidence of Grace in its glory! http://www.holyfire.org/eng/AchileousISawHolyLight.htm#isa
Here is a book containing 45 historical accounts of the Holy Fire between the 9th and 16th centuries:
http://www.greekorthodoxbooks.gr/210B7835.en.aspxAlso, what do you make of the testimony of Archimandrite Savas, author of "I Saw the Holy Light"? Did he make up the story to deceive others? According to him, when he confessed to the Patriarch that he saw the Holy Fire appear in the sepulcher (having entered in hours before and climbed up and out of sight to await the moment when he could see the miracle with his own eyes), the Patriarch responded:
When, by the grace of God, I am made worthy to receive the Holy LIGHT from the Tomb of the Resurrected Christ, the following things happen to me.
When my conscience is calm and nothing occupies my thoughts, nothing that has the power to overshadow my tranquility and my devotion to God, an inexpressible joy {103} seizes me. As soon as I enter the Holy Tomb, I read a few lines from the Prayer Book. When I raise the bundles of candles for the invocation for the LIGHT, then by the Grace of God, the kantili, as well as the candles are lit.
But, if the calmness of my soul does not accompany me and I do not have the proper preparation and devotion to God, I do not have that incredible joy. Then as soon as I bend down to enter the Holy Tomb, I see the kantila already lit, and from it, I light the candles.
Go, therefore, my child, with my blessing. May God who made you worthy to see the Holy LIGHT be with you always."
So, did Archimandrite Sava deceive people by inventing all of this, or are you claiming that the Patriarch lied to and deceived Archimandrite Sava in the context of the sacrament of confession in order to perpetuate this mass deception? For an Orthodox to allege such a thing is beyond me.
