Using the sun's rays, the Olympic flame lighting for the Winter Games in Sochi went off without a hitch in southern Greece Sunday, ahead of its journey across Russia's nine time zones and even a trip to space before the Feb. 7-23 games.

The ceremony was held with actresses dressed as ancient priestesses at the birthplace of the Greek games held in antiquity, with the flame lighting using a parabolic mirror.

Actress Ino Menegaki, in the role of high priestess, called out to the ancient god of the sun, Apollo, before the flame was lit and passed to 18-year-old Greek alpine skier Ioannis Antoniou. NHL star Alex Ovechkin will be the first Russian involved in the torch relay.

Newly elected International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was present at the ceremony.

"The Olympic Games ... should inspire the people of the world and especially the political authorities by showing them that quarrels and conflicts can be addressed with peaceful means," Bach said just before the start of the 20 minute ancient re-enactment involving 21 priestesses dressed in cream-colored pleated dresses.

The Russian leg of the torch relay is set to cover 65,000 kilometers (40,390 miles) before the Winter Games, carrying the torch by hot-air balloon, dog sled and a nuclear-powered ice breaker before its scheduled trip to space on Nov. 7.

"There is no greater privilege than to stand here in the spiritual home of the Olympic Movement," said Dmitry Chernyshenko, chief organizer of Sochi 2014.

"This is the beginning of an epic journey for the Olympic Torch, a journey that will change Russia forever."