Priests arrested after Jerusalem church brawl

Rival priests got into a fight in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Christianity’s holiest shrine in Jerusalem, after arguing over whether a door in the basilica should be closed during a procession.

Dozens of people, including several Israeli police officers, were hurt in the brawl at the shrine, built over the spot where tradition says Jesus was crucified and buried.

Jerusalem police spokesman Shmulik Ben-Ruby said four priests were arrested.

Custody of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is shared by several denominations that jealously guard territory and responsibilities under a fragile deal hammered out over the last centuries.

Any perceived encroachment on one group’s turf can lead to vicious feuds, sometimes lasting centuries.

Today’s fight broke out during a procession of hundreds of Greek Orthodox worshippers commemorating the 4th century pilgrimage by Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, to Jerusalem. Tradition says that during the trip, Helena found the cross on which Jesus had been crucified.

Church officials said that at one point, the procession passed a Roman Catholic chapel, and priests from both sides started arguing over whether the door to the chapel should be open or closed.

Club-wielding Israeli riot police broke up the fight, witnesses said. After the brawl, the procession continued.

Greek Orthodox priests, dressed in black robes, marched out of the church as bells rang loudly.

Carrying gold staves and roses, they marched through the church courtyard and down a narrow stone alley as Greek Orthodox Christians clapped and cheered.