Armenian and Greek clergymen scuffle in Jerusalem

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian clergymen and laymen engaged in a scuffle with Greek Orthodox clergymen during the Holy Palm Sunday ceremony in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 20.



According to participants of the ceremony, a Greek clergyman, who, according to the status-quo, has no right to be present in the site of the Holy Sepulchre during the Armenian procession, was present there and as a result was forced out.



The Israeli Police was quick to respond by calling tens of their men in order to allow the Greek clergyman to return to his post, an action which led to deterioration of the situation.



Two Armenians were arrested once the procession was over, which led to a protest by the Armenians in front of the police station (next to the Armenian Convent of St. James) till the two were released.



Meanwhile, one of participants of the ceremony, Apo Sahagian told PanARMENIAN.Net that "when the Armenian priests entered Christ's grave (which is part of the sermon) they were surprised to see an Israeli cop and a Greek priest."



"While the Greek priest left the grave, a struggle broke out between the cop (whom called backup) and the Armenian clergyman and civilians. The police did use violence against the clergyman, and did threaten many civilians during the scuffle. Many Armenian clergymen and civilians intervened to end the fight, which they successfully did. However, the police still threatened to arrest the Armenians, especially many young men," Apo Sahagian said in his message.



He said he and his father Serop Sahagian "were taken into custody and were released after one and a half hours of interrogation."