Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests and monks came to blows during preparations for Orthodox Christmas celebrations
Glory to God in the highest heaven,Fighting between Christian sects has a long history, more's the pity. Sad, very sad, to see the fight in the Church of the Nativity and a very poor witness to Jesus' words:
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’H/T to Juan Cole at Informed Comment, who says:
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has now seen its annual brawl between Armenian and Eastern Orthodox priests, who are jointly responsible for its administration. Police of the Palestine Authority broke it up but made no arrests because the pugilists are “men of God.”PRAYER FOR PEACE
Somehow you get a sense that Jesus of Nazareth would not have approved of his own followers coming to fisticuffs over his birthplace. Wasn’t there something about turning the other cheek? Wouldn’t the Christian thing to do be to abandon one’s claims to the physical site and devote oneself to the spiritual meaning of it?
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all your peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, now and for ever. Amen.
