Russian delegation heads for Jerusalem for paschal fire

On Good Friday, a representative delegation of Russian political, religious and public figures will head for Jerusalem. Its aim is to contribute to peacemaking in the Holy Land, and deliver to Moscow the Holy Fire which miraculously lights in the Holy Sepulchre Church on Holy Saturday annually.

(In accordance with the canons of the Russian Orthodox Church, Easter in Russia is celebrated in line with the Julian calendar. This year, it falls on April 11 - Ed.).

The delegation is headed by Vladimir Yakunin, first vice president of the Russian Railways joint stock company, chairman of the St. Andrew the Protokletos Fund's tutorial board. The Fund initiated the trip to the Holy Land and the all-Orthodox prayer "Ask peace for Jerusalem", which will take place on April 10 on the eve of Easter in all Orthodox churches (with account for time zones).

The Russian delegation will take part in this prayer in the Orthodox Church Patriarchate.

The prayer will be read by Patriarch Eirinaios of Jerusalem and Bishop Alexander of Dmitrov, the spiritual leader of the Russian delegation.

The delegation includes first deputy State Duma chairman Lyubov Sliska, Russian government press service chief Alexander Zharov, State Duma public associations and religious organizations committee chairman Sergei Popov, Federation Council (upper house of parliament) constitutional legislation committee head Yuri Sharandin, and a number of other political, cultural, business, public figures and media people.

Russia's NTV television company will broadcast the all-Orthodox Prayer and the miraculous descent of the Holy Fire live from Jerusalem.