According to Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and All Moldova, the route included several stages: Chisinau – Istanbul – Jordan, followed by a passage to Israel and arrival in Jerusalem under the coordination of the travel agency “Panda-Tur”.
“They left Kishinev for Istanbul, from Istanbul to Jordan, where they spent two days, after which they traveled by car to Israel, as it was stipulated that no one should enter the Holy City – the ancient city, Jerusalem. Only Patriarch Theophilus the Third of Jerusalem and his priests were to receive the Blessed Fire there, after which the Patriarchate of Jerusalem takes it out of the city in a special lantern and hands it over to those who have come to the Holy Land for this great blessing,” said the Metropolitan.
However, the Israeli authorities allowed all the delegations not only to enter the country, but also to enter the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Church of the Resurrection. The Moldovan delegation was received by Patriarch Theophilos III of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine, who conveyed his blessing.
Metropolitan Vladimir also noted the coordination on the part of all state structures:
“I would like to thank Patriarch Theophilus, the Moldovan Embassy in Israel, as well as the authorities who helped both in the Holy Land and in our country to deliver the Holy Fire.”
This is the 24th time that the Holy Fire has been brought to our country.
