Holy Fire descends in Jerusalem

The Holy Fire ceremony has taken place in Jerusalem, where thousands of believers gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to mark the event ahead of Orthodox Easter.

Traditionally, the Patriarch of Jerusalem brought out the Holy Fire from the shrine encasing the Tomb of Christ.

The Holy Fire is regarded by believers as a sacred light symbolising the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is one of the most significant rituals in Orthodox Christianity.

The flame is expected to be transported to Georgia, where it will be distributed to churches across the country during Easter liturgies, allowing worshippers to take the fire home.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which houses the tomb, dates back to the 4th century and was commissioned under the orders of Queen Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.