JERUSALEM, April 14, 2012 (WAFA) – Thousands of Orthodox Christians from all over the world converged on the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem’s Old City Saturday to celebrate holy fire, the time when the light comes out from the place where Jesus Christ was believed buried.

The light symbolizes the resurrection of the Christ and is carried to several places around the world.

Orthodox Christians started on Sunday celebrating holy week, the same day Catholic Christians, who follow the Gregorian calendar, were marking Easter Sunday.

Israeli police were present in large numbers in the Old City, blocking narrow stone alleys that lead to the Holy Sepulcher to control the number of people who will be allowed to reach the holy site located in the heart of Old City.

Christians from the West Bank and Gaza who were not able to obtain an Israeli-army issued permit did not make it to Jerusalem to celebrate holy fire and other important Easter occasions, including Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Palestinian officials strongly criticized Israel’s restriction on entry of West Bank and Gaza Christians to occupied East Jerusalem to celebrate their holiday at the place where Christianity had started more than 2000 years ago.

M.S.