An Orthodox Priest in the Armenian quarter/Wikimedia Commons
In the spirit of holiday giving, Armenian and Greek Orthodox Monks took it upon themselves to exchange gifts, except they weren’t the kind of presents you would normally expect. Around 100 priests hurled brooms at each other in Bethlehem’s Church of Nativity as they were cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas, which both cultural groups celebrate.
The outburst, broken up by baton and shield-wielding Palestinian police, came to head as the Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics, who each control a portion of the church along with Roman Catholics got into the scuffle over a ‘turf war.’ The Church of Nativity is believed to be built over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus.
Bethlehem police Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi was quoted in Reuters as saying that no one was arrested “because all those involved were men of God” while the BBC reported that the 1,700-year-old church is in bad shape because priests can’t agree on who should be footing the bill for its repair.
The rotting roof timbers have not been replaced since the 19th century and due to rainwater seepage, there is a chance of an electrical short-circuit and fire, according to the historical preservation organization, World Monuments Fund, who sees an agreement between the three keepers of the church as the only solution to its repair:
For the site to be preserved, its three custodians—the Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Orthodox Church, and the Franciscan order—would have to coordinate their efforts, but such a collaboration has not occurred in nearly a thousand years.
The WMF reports that an agreement was reached in September 2010 to restore the church’s roof, the first of its kind, funded by the Palestinian authority.
The ironically timed priestly brawl is a common occurrence. In 2008, Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks went head to head at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Greeks blamed the Armenians for not recognizing their rights, while Armenians said Greeks had violated a traditional ceremony their clergy attempted to place one of their monks inside the Edicule, a structure said to encase the tomb of Jesus, reported the BBC. Unlike today’s battle, four monks were detained by police in the fight.
Watch the video of the broom fight below:
They were not arrested because they were “men of God” according to the authorities.
What nonsense. I think I will leagally change my name to “the Reverand…” and go on a shop lifting spree…
It’s another example of how Christians do more to secularize faith than non-believers.
Pingback: Armenian & Greek Orthodox priests fight each other at Nativity Church - Christian Forums
Pingback: World’s Strangest | Christmas Fight Club for Priests
They are human beings having a human experience. May they both grow spiritually as a result of this mutual error. Stop being so arrogant as to believe that you are not subject to similar passions in your life. What is it Luther used to say? If you’re going to sin, sin openly. Do not cover up that for which you need to repent.
@kenndl
Stop being so arrogant in pointing out the errors of the other posters. They’re only human after all. And what’s more they’re not claiming to have the inside track on what some diety has to say.
And I couldn’t give 2 monkeys what Luther had to say. He was a raving anti-semite and misogynist.
How is it arrogant to ask people to remember that we are all sinners?
The belief that you have some arcane knowledge on a condition of ‘sin’ for all people seems to me a particularly arrogant and over confident type of self-righteousness. Given that I assume you mean ‘sin’ in the OT biblical way then it is not even a moral argument, rather an idea the ‘God’s’ regulations were broached. This is not an ethical position but a law issue. Like so many ‘sins’ in the OT the greater weight is given to arbitrary laws and rules than to anything with a solid moral foundation.
God(human creation) fought over by two barely different religions(human creations) by humans. Why should there be any spirituality to be found here? kenndl’s quote from Luther, if it is even accurate – he doesn’t seem to be sure himself, only goes to emphasise the corrupted thinking that comes from trying to squash repentance and sin into your view of the world.
Where were the leaders of both churches to stop this nonsense before it got out of hand?
Don’t believe everything you read!!!!! Every year the Israeli spin machine hype up anything they can to make the Christians in the area look bad especially in the 4 quarters. The Israeli govt has been after that land for decades and the only way they can get it is it becomes a war zone. They will militarily move in and take over! These are a peaceful people celebrating Christmas and perhaps there may have been some kind of argument but don’t believe that there is anykind of hatred or turfwar! These are created by the people who stand to gaunt the most- Israel! Who by the way has stolen their whole country and continue to steal and con people! Don’t be fooled! There is a Quiet storm brewing among the chosen people! Their plan for world domination is still in effect. It is a secret well kept.
‘It is a secret well kept’ mmm odd how you seem to know all about it then. More inept conspiracies.
Sevag Shoon…just like Hayvanstan is civilized and Hryanrer (jews) and dirty? Yeah Armenians do no wrong, its the Jews fault, same thing with greed in hayvanstan.
It is time to bring in hierarchs to set up a neutral structure to address the repairs and provide a binding conflict resolution system.
And you know, just once, I would like to read something positive about Armenians at this site. For this site, the only good thing about Armenian culture is its marginalized and no one else.
Pingback: News & Views
Every year we hear about Armenian and Greek monks ‘fighting’ with each other. They have their reasons. Where are the posts about how some radical Jews spit and taunt Armenian and Greek priests on the streets? Or how Israeli authorities have been taking away Armenian rights and properties for decades, and the centuries old presence since Tigran is slipping away.
Instead of mocking our fellow Armenian brothers and sister in Jerusalem, do some real research about them and post a report about issues that matter.
But what we expect from site whose sponsor is Ara The Rat.
Thank you for these comments Vic. The main problem with this site is the inability to comprehend politics and their role in shaping Armenian POVs, it is also a site whose authors are not aware of the difficulties of statelessness, the difficulties of being unwelcome minorities, and they have a very hard time understanding Armenians whose life experiences include these things. It is the a site containing the discourse the US Department of State wants to hear from Armenians. I.e. our culture, our history, our existence is the problem not the attempts to kill us off.
just another day of men worshipping creation (the building) more than the creator