Clergymen clash at birthplace of Jesus

THE annual cleaning of one of Christianity's holiest churches has deteriorated into a brawl between rival clergy, as dozens of monks feuding over sacred space at the Church of the Nativity battled each other with brooms until police intervened.

The ancient church, built over the traditional site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem, is shared by three Christian denominations - Roman Catholics, Armenians and Greek Orthodox.

The fight erupted between Greek and Armenian clergy, with both sides accusing each other of encroaching on parts of the church to which they lay claim.

The monks were tidying up the church ahead of Orthodox Christmas celebrations in early January, following celebrations by Western Christians on December 25.

The fight erupted between monks along the border of their respective areas. Some shouted and hurled brooms.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/world/clergymen-clash-at-birthplace-of-jesus/story-e6frea8l-1226232329547

In the BBC report of the clash, it said , "They were not arrested because they were holy men."

I love it!

Could it be a Greeks vs Turks thing?

The feud has been going on for years, if not centuries. It's Armenians, not Turks (I don't think the Armenians like the Turks very much).

The Armenians were massacred by the Turks early last century (Google Armenian genocide)

Edited December 29, 201114 yr by isanbirder

Yeah, I know all about the Armenians but they come from around Turkey and the Greeks might not differentiate.

I nearly said Greeks weren't very bright but most of the population moved to Australia which indicates some degree of commonsense.

Yeah, I know all about the Armenians but they come from around Turkey and the Greeks might not differentiate.

I nearly said Greeks weren't very bright but most of the population moved to Australia which indicates some degree of commonsense.

They certainly aren't very good at economic management.

These battles between the clergy take place all the time and it certainly pre-dates the Armenian massacre, the scary thing is according to the BBC website the Church is in serious disrepair because they can't agree who is going to pay for the repairs.

Greeks not wanting to pay bills? Who would have thought.