Every year before Easter a delegation of the Foundation of Saint Andrew the First-Called and Patriarch of Jerusalem, with financial support from “ISTOKI” Fund, go to the Holy Land where they pray for peace on this territory as this land is so valuable for the leading denominations. In different years Orthodox Christians from Russia, Israel, Serbia, Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, the US and other countries have joined this initiative. Believers in Orthodox Churches of these countries were also praying for peace in the Holy Land.
Traditionally, on Holy Saturday, the delegation of the Foundation of Saint Andrew the First-Called takes part in the Descent of the Holy Fire ceremony, which is held at The Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Later, the Holy Fire is delivered to the Patriarchal Easter Service held at Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Delivery of the Holy Fire to Russia has become a nationwide tradition and an important public event closely connected with celebrations of Orthodox Easter. The Holy Fire is taken from Moscow and distributed across churches in Russia and abroad. For instance, in 2014, the Holy Fire was brought from the Holy Land to Rome for the first time: a designated capsule with fire from the Holy Land inside was delivered to the Easter Divine Service held at the Orthodox Christian Church of Great Martyr Catherine in Rome and later it was brought by train to the Orthodox Christian Church of Saint Nicholas in Merano. According to the satellite observation system data, Murmansk was the northernmost point of delivery of the Holy Fire. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, was the southernmost place. The easternmost point of delivery was in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, while the westernmost place was in Milan.
In 2019, a unique VR-project was realized by Gigarama Laboratory to create the feeling of really being on the Holy Land which included a 360-degree video to showcase the scenery.
Despite the severe quarantine restrictions Israel imposed in spring 2020 following the coronavirus pandemic, the Holy Fire was delivered to Moscow on April 18.
