In the orthodox tradition, Easter is the most important holiday, Christmas comes second. There are various masses during Easter, but the one almost all participate in is on the Sunday. People gather at their local churches, usually outside because of the crowds, late in the evening. At midnight the priest declares “Christ has risen”, and the people reply "truly risen". Then everyone light the candles they have with them from the candle from the altar. In Jerusalem at the Church of the Resurrection, they light it from the holy flame that descends from heaven and that the Patriarch carries.
After the conquest of Jerusalem, the crusaders proceeded to the Orthodox Church build on the empty tomb of Christ, where, once the orthodox clergy discarded, they started celebrating the Latin liturgy. Only, during the Easter mass, the divine light refused to come down. The crusaders had to recall the local Orthodox Patriarch who performed the miracle in plain view, to the sorrowful distress of the crusaders. Godefroi de Bouillon, was particularly humbled by the event. Subsequently, he adopted a very conciliatory attitude towards the Orthodox.
Deus le volt?
After the conquest of Jerusalem, the crusaders proceeded to the Orthodox Church build on the empty tomb of Christ, where, once the orthodox clergy discarded, they started celebrating the Latin liturgy. Only, during the Easter mass, the divine light refused to come down. The crusaders had to recall the local Orthodox Patriarch who performed the miracle in plain view, to the sorrowful distress of the crusaders. Godefroi de Bouillon, was particularly humbled by the event. Subsequently, he adopted a very conciliatory attitude towards the Orthodox.
Deus le volt?