Holy Fire: The Battle for Christ's Tomb

by Victoria Clark

Book Overview

Every year in Jerusalem the miracle of the Holy Fire-shrine--the spontaneous ignition of lamps inside the shrine containing Christ's tomb--is enacted in front of hundreds of the faithful. Holy Fire... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596921560
• ISBN13: 9781596921566
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: MacAdam/Cage Publishing
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Holy knuckleheads

I picked up this book on a lark while trolling through the local library for something new to read. It was a great choice. This book covers the history of inter-Christian rivalries and politics over the control of the area in Jerusalem where Christ is supposed to have died and been buried. The book is part travelogue and part history. The author starts with the death of Christ and chronologically progresses forward through time to show how Egyptian Copts, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Byzantines, Ethiopian Christians, Papal Latins, Protestants and now Evangalical Christians have fought for control of this place, and how their conflicts have sometimes led history, and sometimes occurred under the shadow of other conflicts, like the present formation of Israel. Interspersed with the history lessons are direct observations by the author of modern-day life, and how the different Christian sects are still at it. The title of the book refers to an annual ceremony whereby a fire is lit and used to light candles for pilgrims to bring back to their homes. The book is easy reading, very interesting, and filled with history. The author shows quite a grasp for international politics and history, and how they are intertwined with the affairs of this part of the world. The last chapter on Christian Zionists was quite illuminating. Overall, a great read.