WATANI International
24 April 2011
Al-Nour al-Moqaddas (The Holy Light); Gamal Mohamed Abu-Zaid; Dar al-Hurreya; Cairo; 2011
The miracle of the Holy Light is a phenomenon that occurs each year in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on the day before Orthodox Easter. The light appears from nowhere, and is not engendered by artificial means. So what is the holy light, and what does Orthodox tradition say about it?
In a new book Al-Nour al-Moqaddas (The Holy Light), published by Dar al-Hurreya, Gamal Mohamed Abu-Zaid writes about this difficult subject without obstructing the narrative by adding his personal opinions. Abu-Zaid, a Muslim, acknowledges the help of Deacon Edward Bushra, whom he enlisted, he explains, “because the book tackles a purely religious issue”.
The Resurrection in Light
In three chapters, the book explains: “No doubt the light coming from heaven to the sepulchre of the Christ in Jerusalem is ‘miraculous’ to many members of Orthodox Christian sects,” Abu-Zaid writes. “On the day before Orthodox Easter, thousands of pilgrims flock to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to see the light of the Resurrection. Of that Orthodox belief, some questions arise as to the actuality of the light: does it really just happen? Is there some deceit? Is there any scientific opinion in this respect?”
The first chapter, “The Concept of Light in Christianity” contemplates on the relationship between the light and the resurrection of Christ. In the second chapter, “Emergence of the Light in the Sepulchre”, Abu-Zaid describes the stages of this special Easter Saturday event.
“Preparations for receiving the Holy Light begin with the congregation holding candles and praying. The Pope is searched, and then he enters the sanctum of the Holy Sepulchre and the light appears.”
The third chapter, “The Testimony of Arab and Muslim Historians on the Holy Light”, outlines the doubts and sarcastic comments voiced by historians such as Ibn al-Guziya and al-Maqrizi in the 18th and 19th centuries respectively. Abu-Zaid refers, however, to the 8th century historian al-Bairouni who cites the story of a Muslim ruler who attempted to intercept the light by using copper wires but the light emerged form the wires themselves.
Abu-Zaid ends by summarising the history of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
No fraud
Elaborate measures are taken to ensure that there is no trickery. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch is even given a thorough search by an Israeli police officer to see if he is carrying any flammable items. The Patriarch then goes to the heart of the church, where a filled oil lamp is set on the tomb of the Holy Sepulchre. All the lights in the church are extinguished. The Patriarch prays devoutly, and then, usually after five to 15 minutes, a light appears zigzagging from the ceiling to the gound, and a blazing light is thrown over the tomb. The light is witnessed by thousands of people in the gallery inside the church, and there is an explosion of ecstatic cries. The Patriarch then lights candles from the Holy Fire and hands them to pilgrims.
Pilgrims allow the flames to wash over them, and are unharmed. Their clothes, and even the long beards and moustaches of the monks, do not catch fire.
According to a prophecy, if the fire ever fails to appear then it will be the end of humankind.