Israeli police have had to restore order at one of Christianity's holiest sites after a mass brawl broke out between monks in Jerusalem's Old City. Fighting erupted between Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Christ's crucifixion.
Two monks from each side were detained as dozens of worshippers traded kicks and punches at the shrine, said police. Trouble flared as Armenians prepared to mark the annual Feast of the Cross.
Shocked pilgrims looked on as decorations and tapestries were toppled during Sunday's clash. Dressed in the vestments of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian denominations, rival monks threw punches and anything they could lay their hands on. The Greeks blamed the Armenians for not recognising their rights inside the holy site, while the Armenians said the Greeks had violated one of their traditional ceremonies.
Full story at the BBC, complete with edifying video footage.
Two monks from each side were detained as dozens of worshippers traded kicks and punches at the shrine, said police. Trouble flared as Armenians prepared to mark the annual Feast of the Cross.
Shocked pilgrims looked on as decorations and tapestries were toppled during Sunday's clash. Dressed in the vestments of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian denominations, rival monks threw punches and anything they could lay their hands on. The Greeks blamed the Armenians for not recognising their rights inside the holy site, while the Armenians said the Greeks had violated one of their traditional ceremonies.
Full story at the BBC, complete with edifying video footage.
What do you make of that Joe?
Last year about this time there were articles about similar stuff in the Bethlehem "church"...at least I think it was Bethlehem. While the video speaks volumes, it's hard for me to believe these Beeb outputs tell the whole story.
But I've never been there.
Posted by: Leslie | November 10, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Leslie, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fully explain some of the things that happen in that part of the world. There is complex history and territory and "rights" and sacred space. I recall finding myself in the midst of a small "incident" a few years ago on Orthodox Good Friday. Just a mild dust up in the courtyard of the same church. IDF troops broke it up. The Patriarch continued the service as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Good Lord, deliver us.
Posted by: joseph | November 11, 2008 at 11:10 PM
When I think of the brokenness of the church...fighting in the holy land or anywhere else, the missed point in the Starbucks video...all of it, sometimes I think God must allow it so as to let his glory shine through. When we defiled what God created as good in the garden we began a life of paradox.
Or something. I just think if his strength is in my weakness then it's no accident that human nature displays itself most prominently right on the holy sites. It would be too bad if people looked to us for redemption rather than God.
Posted by: Leslie | November 11, 2008 at 11:35 PM