The Olympic Fire in Sochi
Last night,
February 7th, 2014, thousands of people all over the world watched the Soviet
hockey player Vladislav Tretiyak and three times Olympic champion in figure
skating Irina Rodnina light the Olympic Fire, that shall keep burning in the
heart of the Olympic Sochi till the end of the Games. Watching the Opening Ceremony everyone couldn’t wait to see this solemn moment! Why is it so
important? What should we think about looking at the Fire that is not fading
day and night during the days of the Olympics?
The Olympic Fire is one of the main symbols of the international Games, uniting so many people. And, as we know, every symbol is meant to teach us something.
The History of the Olympic Fire
Lightning
the Olympic Fire at the Olympics in Ancient Greece was a significant part of
the religious rituals – the Games were a religious event first of all! The
Ancient Greeks did it to remember and honor Prometheus, who, according to their
belief, gave people fire and taught them how to use it. It was because of the
pagan nature of the Olympics (worshipping heathen gods, the cult of the human
body, etc.), that they were forbidden in 394 A.D. by the Christian emperor
Theodosius I.
But almost
1500 years later the tradition of the Olympic Games was restored. And together
with that was restored the tradition of lightning the Olympic Fire. The first
time it was lit again was in 1928 at the Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. As for
the Winter Olympics, the first ones to have the Olympic Fire were the Games in Berlin
in 1936. The Olympic torch relay was introduced in 1952 before the Games in
Oslo. Bringing back to life all these traditions, the ideologists wanted them
to be as close to the ancient Greek traditions as possible.
The Olympic Fire Today
It turns out
that nowadays before the Olympics they first light the Fire in Olympia, Greece
– and then the participants of the Olympic torch relay take it to the Olympic
Games venue. It is interesting that the Fire is lit by 11 “priestesses” right
from the Sun with the help of special mirrors. Thus, it looks as if the Fire
comes straight from heaven to unite people and bring them peace. And it is not
a coincidence that they would declare a truce if there was a war at the time of
the Olympics in Ancient Greece.
What does the Olympic Fire call us to?
The Olympic
Fire symbolizes peace, unity, solidarity, friendship of the nations. The
organizers, ideologists, participants and many thousands of people who follow
the Olympics have hope that this epic event would unite them, and help the
countries who have conflicts make peace with each other. However, the history
shows that is doesn’t always work like that...
Even in the
Ancient Greece peace was sometimes broken at the time of the sacred Games. In
modern history of the Olympics there are also very many cases showing the lack
of peace, unity and love: for example, multiple boycotts of the Olympics in
different countries, various protests against the Games, the tragic event at
the Olympics in Munich in 1972, etc.
Thus, the
Olympic Fire very often throws light upon many political, social and human
problems – but it cannot solve them!
There Is Hope!
The history
of the Olympics, that has been calling people to peace, unity and friendship
for centuries, shows the desire of thousands of people to live in the world
without wars, conflicts, political and social problems, which tortured the
planet in the Antic times – and still bring people lots of sufferings today.
But at the same time, the Olympic Fire reminds us that it is beyond the human
power to solve these problems despite all our efforts. But what should we do?
Is there no hope?
In fact,
there is hope! Our hope is to realize that we do not have enough power: all
these problems are the result of the fall of men! All of us are sinful, all of
us have spoilt nature, all of us are selfish, all of us have a tendency to
judge others,
If you want
to learn more about Jesus, about His love, about what it has to do with you
personally, you can read the following articles:
-How do I become a Christian | Biblical answer
- The Basic Biblical Truths - the Four Spiritual Laws
The Questions of the Olympic Fire
Following
the Olympics in Sochi you will often see the Olympic Fire! Looking at it, think
about these simple and at the same time hard questions:
Do I live
in peace and unity with people who surround me?
What do I
need to do to learn how to love my neighbors no matter what?
What keeps
me from accepting help in that from Jesus? Why don’t I accept it today?
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