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Monks brawl before religious ceremony
Story Highlights
Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks punch and kick each other
Police called to break up fight at Church of the Holy Sepulcher in
Jerusalem
The site is believed to be where Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
occurred
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WOR LD/meast/11/09/israel.brawling.monks/index.html
B y Shira Medding
CNN
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- An unusual sight greeted Jerusalem police as they
entered one of Christianity's holiest sites Sunday morning: dozens of
monks punching and kicking each other in a massive brawl. Monks from
the Greek Orthodox and Armenian denominations were preparing for a
ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City when a
disagreement led to a full-fledged fistfight. The fight began when
Armenian clergy were holding a procession to commemorate the finding
of the cross believed to have been used in the crucifixion of Jesus,
according to The Associated Press. The Greek members of the clergy
wanted one of their monks present, the AP reported, for fear that the
procession would undermine their claim to an ancient structure built
on what is believed to be the tomb of Jesus. The two sides could not
agree, and when the Armenians tried to begin the procession, the Greek
monks stepped in and the fighting began, the AP reported. "We were
keeping resistance so that the procession could not pass through ...
and establish a right that they don't have," a young Greek Orthodox
monk with a cut next to his left eye told the AP. Many among the
dozens of monks came away with cuts and bruises, said police spokesman
Mickey Rosenfeld.
Officers were called to the scene to break up the brawl. They detained
two monks, one from each denomination, Rosenfeld said. The Church of
the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is thought to be built on the site of
Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Rivalries between the different
sects that share control of the church often lead to tensions
Story Highlights
Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks punch and kick each other
Police called to break up fight at Church of the Holy Sepulcher in
Jerusalem
The site is believed to be where Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
occurred
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WOR LD/meast/11/09/israel.brawling.monks/index.html
B y Shira Medding
CNN
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- An unusual sight greeted Jerusalem police as they
entered one of Christianity's holiest sites Sunday morning: dozens of
monks punching and kicking each other in a massive brawl. Monks from
the Greek Orthodox and Armenian denominations were preparing for a
ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City when a
disagreement led to a full-fledged fistfight. The fight began when
Armenian clergy were holding a procession to commemorate the finding
of the cross believed to have been used in the crucifixion of Jesus,
according to The Associated Press. The Greek members of the clergy
wanted one of their monks present, the AP reported, for fear that the
procession would undermine their claim to an ancient structure built
on what is believed to be the tomb of Jesus. The two sides could not
agree, and when the Armenians tried to begin the procession, the Greek
monks stepped in and the fighting began, the AP reported. "We were
keeping resistance so that the procession could not pass through ...
and establish a right that they don't have," a young Greek Orthodox
monk with a cut next to his left eye told the AP. Many among the
dozens of monks came away with cuts and bruises, said police spokesman
Mickey Rosenfeld.
Officers were called to the scene to break up the brawl. They detained
two monks, one from each denomination, Rosenfeld said. The Church of
the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is thought to be built on the site of
Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Rivalries between the different
sects that share control of the church often lead to tensions