Alec Swan
...
Christmas marked in Bethlehem
Land row mars Orthodox Christmas
Unholy row threatens Holy Sepulchre
Scuffles have broken out between rival groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics in a turf war at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.
Bemused tourists looked on as about 100 priests fought with brooms while cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas, on 7 January.
Palestinian police armed with batons and shields broke up the clashes.
Groups of priests have clashed before in the church, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.
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No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God
Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi
Bethlehem police
"It was a trivial problem that... occurs every year," Bethlehem police Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi told Reuters.
"No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God," he said.
Nobody was seriously injured in the scuffles, according to the police.
Previous clashes between the denominations which share the administration of the church have been sparked by perceived encroachments on one group's territory by another.
The 1,700-year-old church, one of the holiest sites in Christianity, is in a bad state of repair, largely because the priests cannot agree on who should pay for its upkeep.
Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, has also seen similar incidents.
Priests with broom-sticks. It has a certain ring to it!!
Alec.
Land row mars Orthodox Christmas
Unholy row threatens Holy Sepulchre
Scuffles have broken out between rival groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics in a turf war at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.
Bemused tourists looked on as about 100 priests fought with brooms while cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas, on 7 January.
Palestinian police armed with batons and shields broke up the clashes.
Groups of priests have clashed before in the church, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.
Continue reading the main story
Start Quote
No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God
Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi
Bethlehem police
"It was a trivial problem that... occurs every year," Bethlehem police Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi told Reuters.
"No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God," he said.
Nobody was seriously injured in the scuffles, according to the police.
Previous clashes between the denominations which share the administration of the church have been sparked by perceived encroachments on one group's territory by another.
The 1,700-year-old church, one of the holiest sites in Christianity, is in a bad state of repair, largely because the priests cannot agree on who should pay for its upkeep.
Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, has also seen similar incidents.
Priests with broom-sticks. It has a certain ring to it!!
Alec.
