Dozens of Greek and Armenian priests and worshippers exchanged blows at one of Christianity's holiest shrines on Orthodox Palm Sunday, and used palm fronds to pummel police who tried to break up the brawl.
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(Photo: AP Images / Kevin FrayerAn Israeli police officer, left, tries to break up a fight between Greek and Armenian clergymen during Palm Sunday processions for Orthodox Holy Week, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, Sunday April 20, 2008. Greek and Armenian priests scuffled at Christianity's holiest site on Palm Sunday over who'll get to spend more time at the traditional tomb of Jesus. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is jointly administrated by different Christian denominations. Fights often eruptduring religious ceremonies over shared space or time.
The fight came amid growing rivalry over religious rights at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the site in Jerusalem where tradition says Jesus was buried and resurrected.
It erupted when Armenian clergy kicked out a Greek priest from their midst, pushed him to the ground and kicked him, according to witnesses.
When police intervened, some worshippers hit them with the palm fronds they were holding for the religious holiday. The Eastern Orthodox churches, including the Armenians and Greek Orthodox, follow a different calendar from Western Christians and celebrate Easter next Sunday.
Two Armenian worshippers who attacked the Greek Orthodox clergy were briefly detained by Israeli police. Scores of Armenian supporters then protested outside the police station during the questioning of the two, beating drums and chanting.
The Holy Sepulcher is shared by several Christian denominations according to a centuries-old arrangement known as the "status quo."
Each denomination jealously guards its share of the basilica, and fights over rights at the church have intensified in recent years, particularly between the Armenians and Greeks.
Father Pakrad, an Armenian priest, said the presence of the Greek priest during the Armenian observances violated the status quo. "Our priests entered the tomb. They kicked the Greek monk out of the Edicule," he said, referring to the tomb area.
Pakrad accused the Greek Orthodox Christians of trying to step on the Armenians' rights. "We are the weak ones, persecuted by them for many centuries."
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch in the Holy Land, Theofilos III, told The Associated Press that the Armenians are pushing to change the rules, challenging what he said was the dominance of the Greek church in the Holy Land.
"This behavior is criminal and unacceptable by all means," he said. "They wanted to trespass on the status quo concerning the order that regulates the services between the various communities."
The Church of the Nativity in nearby Bethlehem — where Jesus is said to have been born — also falls under the status quo arrangement. Last year, pre-Christmas cleaning in that church turned ugly when robed Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests went at each other with brooms and stones.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments
I've visited the Church of the Nativity in Nazareth two years ago, and if anything is further removed from the Messiah born in an animal shelter, I don't know what is. Thankfully we never bothered to visit this other awful place. The behaviour of these so-called followers of the Prince of Peace is not just pathetic, it is a disgrace. They have profaned the Name in the eyes of those who look on in disbelief. Lord hasten the day of Your return to a New Jerusalem when all this religious architectural rubbish will be wiped off the face of the earth and consigned to the cosmic dustbin where it rightly belongs!
Get a clue, He's not there! What a bunch of children. Our hope is in Heaven. Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith. I may not have the authority to condemn another person, but I can condemn your behavior as a disgrace to the Name. True worship is loving one's neighbor. Fighting with your Brother is not very lovely. Especially at a place where both parties consider holy.
This is what happens when one is more loyal to their denomination than they are to Christ. How much division is there in the body of Christ in America because of the very same thing. Loyalty to denomination!
Way to go guys. Nothing says "I've come to worship the risen King" like a fist fight.
I agree with tamna, this is simply childish especially since they all knew each other personally for so many years of service, side by side there.
The Armenian and the Greek Orthodox needs to start discussing their issues maturely.
Yes, the issues is centuries old, but nothing is impossible if we let the risen Lord resolve our differences and start to love one another.
My family next visit to this Church of the Holy Sepulcher is scheduled at the end of May 2008.
Shalom
They don't need to call the police, the situation would be better served by calling a representative from Kindercare. Childish, simply childish.