Ha’aretz, Israel
April 15 2005

Sharansky working to end rift between Greek, Armenian clergy

By Yuval Yoaz

Minister Without Portfolio Natan Sharansky is trying to reconcile the
Greek Orthodox and Armenian clergy to enable the peaceful performance
of the Sabbath of Light ceremony in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
in Jerusalem.

The High Court of Justice yesterday debated an urgent petition filed
by the Armenian patriarch, Archbishop Torkom Manoogian. Sharansky,
who was appointed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to reconcile the
sides, apparently persuaded both patriarchs to sign a commitment
calling on the public to refrain from violence. Police have warned
that violence during the ceremony could lead to numerous casualties.

The Sabbath of Light ceremony is held on the last Saturday before
Orthodox Christian Easter at the Holy Sepulchre church in the Old
City. Both communities believe that a divine flame descends from the
sky on this day and lights the oil lamp standing on Jesus’ tomb.
Orthodox Easter falls on May 1 this year.

Attorney Eitan Epstein, who represents the Armenian Patriarchy, says
both sides had maintained the status quo in conducting the ceremony
together for hundreds of years. However, Greek Orthodox Patriarch
Irineos I, who was appointed in 2002, refused to let Manoogian leave
the tomb area first during the ceremony, as is customary. In the
scuffle that erupted, the “holy fire” from Manoogian’s candles was
extinguished.

Now the Greek Orthodox Patriarchy refuses to let the Armenian
representative enter the tomb chapel at all, demanding he wait
outside the chapel and light his candles from Irineos’ candles. “It’s
a scathing humiliation to the Christian Armenian world,” said
Epstein.

If Sharansky fails to reconcile the two sides by next Tuesday, the
court will have to rule on the Armenians’ request for an injunction
ordering the police to hold the ceremony in the traditional way.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress