Priests fight in Bethlehem church
- 12 years ago
Clashes between holy men erupt inside Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.
About 100 priests and monks from the Greek and Armenian churches, armed with brooms, came to blows whilst cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
The dispute was over their areas of authority within the church.
Palestinian police armed with batons and shields were forced to restore order.
Administration of the church is shared between Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian clerics.
The relationship is frequently contentious, and there have been similar scuffles in the past.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
About 100 priests and monks from the Greek and Armenian churches, armed with brooms, came to blows whilst cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
The dispute was over their areas of authority within the church.
Palestinian police armed with batons and shields were forced to restore order.
Administration of the church is shared between Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian clerics.
The relationship is frequently contentious, and there have been similar scuffles in the past.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.