Greek Orthodox, Franciscan priests brawl over opening of door in Jerusalem basilica

signonsandiego.com ^ | 6:56 a.m. September 27, 2004 | Ramit Plushnick-Masti

[Destro]

Greek Orthodox, Franciscan priests brawl over opening of door in Jerusalem basilica

By Ramit Plushnick-Masti
ASSOCIATED PRESS
6:56 a.m. September 27, 2004

JERUSALEM – Greek Orthodox and Franciscan priests got into a fist fight Monday at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Christianity's holiest shrine, after arguing over whether a door in the basilica should be closed during a procession.

Dozens of people, including several Israeli police officers, were slightly hurt in the brawl at the shrine, built over the spot where tradition says Jesus was crucified and buried.

Four priests were detained, police spokesman Shmulik Ben-Ruby said.

Custody of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is shared by several denominations that jealously guard territory and responsibilities under a fragile deal hammered out over the last centuries. Any perceived encroachment on one group's turf can lead to vicious feuds, sometimes lasting hundreds of years.

Monday's fight broke out during a procession of hundreds of Greek Orthodox worshippers commemorating the 4th century pilgrimage by Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, to Jerusalem. Tradition says that during the trip, Helena found the cross on which Jesus had been crucified.

Church officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that at one point, the procession passed a Roman Catholic chapel, and priests from both sides started arguing over whether the door to the chapel should be open or closed.

Club-wielding Israeli riot police broke up the fight, witnesses said. Afterward, the procession continued.

Greek Orthodox priests, dressed in black robes and donning elaborate headdresses, marched out of the church as bells rang loudly. Carrying gold staves and roses, they marched through the church courtyard and down a narrow stone alley as Greek Orthodox Christians clapped and cheered.

In 2003, Israeli police threatened to limit the number of worshippers allowed to attend an Easter ceremony if the denominations did not agree on who would lead the ceremony. Police brokered a last-minute deal and the ceremony passed peacefully.

But a year earlier, the Greek patriarch and Armenian clergyman designated to enter the tomb exchanged blows after a dispute over who would be first to exit the chamber.

[ArrogantBustard]

What are their FR screen-names?

[Tantumergo]

"What are their FR screen-names?"

LOL!

Can we volunteer the RM to act as their mediator? ;)

[Servant of the 9]

In hundreds of years they have not even managed to learn to be civil to each other, much less behave in a 'Christian' manner.

So9

[NYer]

This story has been picked up by many journalists and tv anchors. While the Catholics and Orthodox spar, here is how the Jerusalem Post has covered the story.

* * * * *

Fracas breaks out at Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Etgar Lefkovits, THE JERUSALEM POST

Sep. 27, 2004

---

A violent brawl broke out Monday afternoon at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher between Catholics over religious rights at the church, police said.

Police forces were called in to separate Franciscans and Greek Orthodox priests after they got into a fight over who would open the door of the church. Several people were lightly wounded by blows, and several suspects were detained for assault. After police intervened, the religious ceremony continued and calm was restored.

The church is the scene of periodic brawls between various Christian sects who share control over the church, as to who will take the lead in such religious ceremonies.

The site is revered by some Christian sects as the place where Jesus Christ is buried.

Someone, please update him.

[netmilsmom]

>>The site is revered by some Christian sects as the place where Jesus Christ is buried.<<

I had to laugh!

[Convert from ECUSA]

It is sad to see Christians from any group acting like this, especially at a holy site, and worst of all, the site where Christ was buried. And over which door should be closed during a procession! What a witness to the Israelis that have to see this every time there is an event, ceremony, feast, etc. at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher! Even more, what must Jesus and Mary think when this happens!

May I extend my apologies to the Eastern Orthodox for the less than Christian behavior some of my co-religionists at this shrine have shown to them.

[Destro]

Israelis come to worse blows amongst their sects truth be told.

[dangus]

There is an additional subtext to the Orthodox v. Catholic feduing as of late. The Franciscans strongly side with the Palestinians, whereas the Orthdox do not. A couple of years ago, the Franciscans allowed Palestinian terrorists into the Church during a Jewish crackdown. The Palestinians showed ended up camping out in the Orthodox sanctuary, using sacred vessels for food, and crapping on the altar.

In turn I wondered how those events aggected this: When the Palestinian Archbishop of Gerusalemme*, a Franciscan, was replaced, his successor was a Jewish Dominican!

(*Yes, oddly, that's how the spelling used for the Archdiocese in Jerusalem.)

[Convert from ECUSA]

I've heard the same, both from Jewish and non-Jewish friends. Apparently different Jewish sects/groups have at each other in the same way. One wonders at times whether religion brings out the best in people or the worst.

[Ann Archy]

OMG! If you haven't been in this very spot you cannot imagine how small the area is. In the size of my apt, there is a Coptic Church, the Greek, The Catholic, and I think another Church.

Coming to blows in the holiest of places....END TIMES!

[Ann Archy]

That happened in Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativty....not at the Holy Sepulcher.

[marshmallow]

Who won?

Bet the Franciscans kicked their butts.

Just joking.

Knowing how much y'all enjoy a good brawl, I couldn't resist.

Now where's that thread where that ass*#@% got in my face yesterday................

[Kolokotronis]

Unfortunately, typical. A Mohammedan family holds the keys because the monks can't get along. And we think we have battles here! We're just a bunch of pussycats!

[Conservative til I die]

A violent brawl broke out Monday afternoon at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher between Catholics over religious rights at the church, police said.

Something else the writer got wrong.

[LadyDoc]

I know several Orthodox priests and several Franciscan priests...

If I were betting, I'd place 50 bucks on the Franciscans...

[ventana]

Ha ha ha.....very good! V's wife.

[IrishCatholic]

Kind of sounds like the Israeli P.D. won. It also reminds me of several jokes that if repeated will send me straight to hell. So, I will stop here and add a week to my purgatory sentence

[Destro]

Most Catholic priests are gay - my money is on the priests with wives.

[escapefromboston]

It was a deep theological debate