Priests scuffle with brooms, stones, at traditional site of Jesus’ birth
The Associated Press
Published: December 27, 2007
BETHLEHEM, West Bank: Robed Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests went at
each other with brooms and stones inside the Church of the Nativity on
Thursday as long-standing rivalries erupted in violence during holiday
cleaning.
The basilica, built over the grotto in Bethlehem where Christians
believe Jesus was born, is administered jointly by Roman Catholic,
Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic authorities. Any perceived
encroachment on one group’s turf can set off vicious feuds.
On Thursday, dozens of priests and cleaners came to the fortress-like
church to scrub and sweep the floors, walls and rafters ahead of the
Armenian and Orthodox Christmas, celebrated in the first week of
January. Thousands of tourists visited the church this week for
Christmas celebrations.
But the cleanup turned ugly after some of the Orthodox faithful stepped
inside the Armenian church’s section, touching off a scuffle between
about 50 Greek Orthodox and 30 Armenians.
Palestinian police, armed with batons and shields, quickly formed a
human cordon to separate the two sides so the cleaning could continue,
then ordered an Associated Press photographer out of the church.
Today in Africa & Middle East
Chad court sentences French aid workers to 8 years forced laborAid
losing to hunger in Darfur, UN reportsKenyans head to polls for
presidential vote
Four people, some with blood running from their faces, were slightly
wounded.