Israeli police arrest four after brawl at sacred Christian site

Agence France Presse — English
September 27, 2004 Monday 2:41 PM GMT

JERUSALEM Sept 27 — Israel police arrested four orthodox Christian
worshippers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old
City on Monday after a brawl during a church service.

At least five people were injured as Greek Orthodox worshippers came
to blows with members of the Franciscan order over “the opening of
a door during a church service”, police spokesman Gil Kleiman told AFP.

“Several Christians were lightly injured during the fight, and when
police turned up to separate them, several police officers were also
lightly wounded,” he said.

Situated deep within the Old City, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
is built on the presumed site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection and
is widely considered as the most holy shrine in Christianity.

Several rival denominations share custody of the church and jealously
guard their own section. They include Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic,
Armenian Orthodox, Ethiopian, Egyptian Copt and Syrian Orthodox.

The Franciscan order is part of the Roman Catholic church.

In order keep the peace over opening and closing of the church,
two Muslim families have guardianship of the key.