[lit-ideas] GRIST FOR IRENE'S GRINDSTONE
- From: "Mike Geary" <atlas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 09:32:21 -0600
Monks brawl at Christian holy site in Jerusalem
(Washington Post)
JERUSALEM -- Israeli police rushed into one of Christianity's holiest churches
Sunday and arrested two clergyman after an argument between monks erupted into
a brawl next to the site of Jesus' tomb.
The clash between Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks broke out in the Church of
the Holy Sepulcher, revered as the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and
resurrection.
The brawling began during a procession of Armenian clergymen commemorating the
4th-century discovery of the cross believed to have been used to crucify Jesus.
The Greeks objected to the march without one of their monks present, fearing
that otherwise, the procession would subvert their own claim to the Edicule _
the ancient structure built on what is believed to be the tomb of Jesus _ and
give the Armenians a claim to the site.
The Armenians refused, and when they tried to march the Greek Orthodox monks
blocked their way, sparking the brawl.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said police were forced to intervene after
fighting was reported. They arrested two monks, one from each side, he said....
The monk, who gave his name as Serafim, said he sustained the wound when an
Armenian punched him from behind and broke his glasses.
Father Pakrat of the Armenian Patriarchate said the Greek demand was "against
the status quo arrangement and against the internal arrangement of the Holy
Sepulcher." He said the Greeks attacked first.
********
Serafim and Pakrat -- Ritchie's got to love that!
Good thing St Paul wasn't anywhere around.
Mike Geary
Memphis
Other related posts:
