Priests brawl at Jesus’ birthplace
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests attacked each other with brooms and stones inside the Church of the Nativity as long-standing rivalries erupted in violence during holiday cleaning on Thursday.
The basilica, built over the grotto in Bethlehem where Christians believe Jesus was born, is administered jointly by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic authorities.
Any perceived encroachment on one group’s turf can touch off vicious feuds.
I’ll bet they’ll be going for payback at Easter.
29 December 2007 at 9:00 am
The mental image of old, grey, arthritic men in holy garb beating each other with brooms is highly amusing.
Sounds like they made more mess than they were there to clean up.
29 December 2007 at 1:39 pm
I’d pay to watch that.