The Holy Light from Jerusalem will arrive in Romania this year as well. The Patriarchy's backup plan if the conflict in the Middle East escalates
The Romanian Patriarchate announced that it has obtained the agreement of the Israeli authorities for a runway to bring the Holy Light from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem to Romania. Should the geopolitical situation in the Middle East deteriorate, the Patriarchate has established an alternative procedure.
“On the evening of Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Holy Light is scheduled to be brought from Jerusalem by Father Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, the Superior of the Settlements of the Romanian Patriarchate at the Holy Places, to be offered to the delegates of the dioceses of the Romanian Patriarchate present at the “Otopeni” International Airport. Later, through the deaneries, the diocesan centers will distribute the Holy Light to each parish within them”, reports Basilica.ro.
The Holy Light will be received at the historic Patriarchal Cathedral “Holy Emperors Constantine and Elena” by Patriarch Daniel, around 7:00 p.m. The tradition was inaugurated in 2009.
“At this time, there are all the prerequisites for the Holy Light to be brought like every year, however, taking into account the current geopolitical situation, marked by the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, its bringing can only be affected in a case of unforeseen force majeure”, states the Romanian Patriarchy.
In case the flight can no longer be carried out, the parishes in the country will be distributed the Holy Light brought from Jerusalem last year, this being kept permanently lit, in a special candle.
“Thanks to the intervention of the Romanian Embassy in Israel, we also received a flight lane from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, on Holy Saturday. With God's help, we will come with a special run from Tel Aviv to Bucharest, with the Holy Light”, said Archimandrite Ioan Meiu.
