“Greece’s national carrier, AEGEAN, will be transporting the Holy Light from Jerusalem to Athens for Orthodox Easter, and from there, it will be carried on flights to cities across Greece as part of an annual custom.
Following its arrival at Athens International Airport, the Holy Light will be flown on specially scheduled AEGEAN and Olympic Air flights to eight cities across Greece: Zakynthos, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Kalamata, Limnos, Santorini, Chania, and Larissa.
In Athens, the Metochion of the Holy Sepulcher in Plaka will receive the Holy Light first.
The flights are timed to ensure the Holy Light reaches each destination on the evening of Holy Saturday, just ahead of the Resurrection service traditionally held at midnight.
The Ceremony of the Holy Light, one of the most sacred Orthodox Christian rituals dating back to the 8th century takes place at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the aedicule, the site believed to be Christ’s tomb, with two unlit candles. The tomb is then symbolically sealed and inspected. Inside, the Patriarch kneels and prays. He later emerges with the candles miraculously lit, symbolizing Christ’s Resurrection. The Holy Light is then shared candle to candle among the faithful who have gathered outside the church and from there transported to Orthodox churches worldwide.
Below the timetable of AEGEAN and Olympic Air flights delivering the Holy Light on Holy Saturday in Greece.
