Armenian and Greek Orthodox Monks Brawl in Jerusalem
Fighting that erupted between Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks at the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem resulted in Israeli police having to detain two monks from each side to restore order.
The fighting that broke out at the traditional site of Christ’s crucifixion began caused tapestries and decorations to topple as onlookers were shocked.
“The Greeks blamed the Armenians for not recognizing their rights inside the holy site, while the Armenians said the Greeks had violated one of their traditional ceremonies,” reported the BBC.
“An Armenian clergyman said the Greek clergy had tried to place one of their monks inside the Edicule, an ancient structure which is said to encase the tomb of Jesus.
The Armenian monks were at the holy site to mark the Feast of the Holy Cross, which commemorates the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus and is also celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church.
Watch an account of the brawl below:
