POLICE BREAK UP FIST FIGHT IN HOLY SHRINE
Euronews.net
April 21 2008
France
Police have broken up a fist fight between Greek and Armenian
orthodox clergy at one of Christianity’s holiest sites in
Jerusalem. Eyewitnesses say the scuffles broke out at the city’s
Church of the Holy Sepulchre after an Armenian priest pushed a Greek
cleric away from a tomb.
Fights are not uncommon at the church which is said to mark the
site of Christ’s burial and is shared by a number of Christian
denominations. Crowds had gathered to celebrate the Orthodox Palm
Sunday, traditionally when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Western
churches celebrated Palm Sunday and Easter last month.
No injuries were reported but two Armenians were briefly held for
questioning. A crowd of around 100 Armenians gathered outside the
police station to protest at their detention but later dispersed.