Armenian, Orthodox priests trade blows in Bethlehem

Members of rival Christian orders have been involved in a fight at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Izvor: BBC

Friday, 28.12.2007.

15:04

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Members of rival Christian orders have been involved in a fight at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The BBC reports that four people were wounded in the fray. Armenian, Orthodox priests trade blows in Bethlehem Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic priests were sweeping up at the church following the Christmas rites of the Western churches earlier in the week. Reports say some Orthodox faithful encroached on the Armenian section, prompting pitched battles with brooms. Intense rivalries at the jointly-run church can set off vicious feuds. The basilica, built over the grotto in the West Bank town that is the reputed birthplace of Jesus Christ is shared by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian religious authorities. Palestinian police formed a human cordon to separate the battling dark-robed and bearded priests and deacons, said to number about 80, so that cleaning could continue. Thousands of tourists visited the church for the Western Christmas celebrations this week, the first time municipal authorities reported a successful pilgrimage season. The Eastern or Orthodox Christian Church celebrates Christmas in the first week of January. The floors, walls and rafters of the Church of the Nativity are scrubbed and swept by Orthodox priests between the two festivals. One report says the dispute started when the Greek Orthodox contingent wanted to place a ladder over the Armenian portion.

Armenian, Orthodox priests trade blows in Bethlehem

Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic priests were sweeping up at the church following the Christmas rites of the Western churches earlier in the week.

Reports say some Orthodox faithful encroached on the Armenian section, prompting pitched battles with brooms.

Intense rivalries at the jointly-run church can set off vicious feuds.

The basilica, built over the grotto in the West Bank town that is the reputed birthplace of Jesus Christ is shared by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian religious authorities.

Palestinian police formed a human cordon to separate the battling dark-robed and bearded priests and deacons, said to number about 80, so that cleaning could continue.

Thousands of tourists visited the church for the Western Christmas celebrations this week, the first time municipal authorities reported a successful pilgrimage season.

The Eastern or Orthodox Christian Church celebrates Christmas in the first week of January.

The floors, walls and rafters of the Church of the Nativity are scrubbed and swept by Orthodox priests between the two festivals.

One report says the dispute started when the Greek Orthodox contingent wanted to place a ladder over the Armenian portion.

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Kina je usvojila zakon o carinama kojim želi da osnaži mehanizme odbrane svoje ekomonije nakon pretnji Sjedinjenih Američkih Država i Evropske unije da će reagovati na izvoz jeftinih kineskih proizvoda.

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27.4.2024.

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