Somehow I missed this story, which happened in December 2007. As I read it, I couldn't help but imagine the fight being re-enacted by members of Monty Python...
Robed Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests went at each other with brooms and stones inside the Church of the Nativity on Thursday as long-standing rivalries erupted in violence during holiday cleaning.
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 set off vicious feuds.
On Thursday, dozens of priests and cleaners came to the fortress-like church to scrub and sweep the floors, walls and rafters ahead of the Armenian and Orthodox Christmas, celebrated in the first week of January. Thousands of tourists visited the church this week for Christmas celebrations.
But the cleanup turned ugly after some of the Orthodox faithful stepped inside the Armenian church's section, touching off a scuffle between about 50 Greek Orthodox and 30 Armenians.
Palestinian police, armed with batons and shields, quickly formed a human cordon to separate the two sides so the cleaning could continue, then ordered an Associated Press photographer out of the church.
Four people, some with blood running from their faces, were slightly wounded.
Friday, February 15, 2008
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5 comments:
man, i sure hope that gets leaked out 2 youtube. that'd be awesome!!
I vaguely recall seeing this at the time. Sigh.
I dunno I still think I would rather watch topless female mud wrestling, but to each their own.
Hey man, who needs the mud. I'd be cool with just topless female wrestling... but then again, I've always thought there was something just a little "muddy" right below the surface of you, Bawdy.
Clear as mud, huh?
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