Clergymen Clash At Birthplace Of Jesus

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — A brawl has erupted between rival clergymen participating in an annual cleaning ritual at the church built at Jesus’ traditional birthplace.

Armenian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox clergymen screamed at each other and beat each other with broomsticks during Wednesday’s cleanup inside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

They were tidying up the church ahead of Orthodox Christmas celebrations in early January.

The two denominations each control sections of the church and fiercely guard their turf. The violence broke out when the sides accused each other of crossing into each other’s territory. Similar fights have taken place in past years.

Palestinian security forces broke up the melee, and no serious injuries were reported.