A long-running row over the rights to a rooftop section of the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre could bring the entire structure tumbling down, destroying
Christendom’s holiest site.
While renovations are needed across the church, the small Deir al-Sultan
monastery on its roof has reached an “emergency state”, according to
engineers who completed an evaluation this month.
The Times has learnt that in 2004 the two chapels and twenty-six tiny rooms
that comprise the monastery were pronounced in dire need of reinforcement.
They have since deteriorated to the point where engineers now fear that they
will crash through the roof and into the church, venerated by millions of
Christians as the site of the Crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
Yigal Bergman, the engineer who led the investigation, reported that the
church, situated in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, was
in a dangerous state of construction. “The structures are full of serious
engineering damage that creates safety hazards and endangers the lives of
the monks and the visitors. This is an emergency”.
Local officials are pressing the church to begin repairs before the heavy
autumn rains begin but have stopped short of interfering directly in its
notoriously acrimonious affairs.
The church has been vigilantly managed by six competing and often fractious
Christian denominations — Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox,
Coptic, Syrian Orthodox and Ethiopian — since an agreement reached under
Ottoman law in 1757.
Rival denominations often battle for access or space and the congregation at
the annual Easter service sometimes resembles the terraces of a boisterous
football match. The keys to the main entrance of the church have been held
by a Muslim family since the 12th century because the Christians do not
trust one another.
The dispute over the Deir al-Sultan monastery is a more recent phenomenon
dating back to Easter 1970. When the Coptic monks, who had controlled the
area, went to pray in the main church and left the rooftop unattended,
Ethiopian monks seized the opportunity to change the locks at the entrances
before the Copts returned.
Relations between the two groups have remained tense ever since, with the
Coptic Church refusing to relinquish its claim to the monastery and posting
a single monk there at all times. In the midst of a blistering heatwave in
the summer of 2002, the Coptic monk on duty moved his chair from its agreed
spot to a shadier corner. The move was taken as a hostile manoeuvre by the
Ethiopians and 11 monks needed hospital treatment after the ensuing fracas.
The rest of the church factions have been unable to mediate between the two
groups, even in the case of minor repairs or renovations to the rooftop.
Archbishop Matthias, head of the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem, wrote a
letter to the Israeli Interior Ministry and the Bureau of Jerusalem Affairs
this month describing the dire state of the buildings.
The Archbishop stated in the letter that he did not recognise the right of the
Coptic Church in any part of the disputed area. He said, according to the
Haaretz Hebrew daily, that it was “inconceivable that the implementation of
emergency repairs at the holy site would be conditioned on the consent of
the Coptic Church”. The Archbishop added that he was turning to the Israeli
authorities, as a neutral party, to carry out the repairs.
Israel has offered to shoulder part of the cost of repairs but will do so only
if the Christian factions first come to an agreement among themselves.
The Copts, who are mainly of Egyptian origin, received preferential treatment
during Ottoman, British and Jordanian rule. That changed after Israel took
control of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War, fought against a combined Arab
force, including Egypt. The Copts accused Israel of using its position in
Jerusalem to aid the Ethiopians in 1970 in their takeover of Deir al-Sultan.
Nine years later, when Israel and Egypt signed the Camp David peace accords,
Coptic officials hoped that the rooftop monastery would be restored to them.
Israel, however, is mindful of its sensitive relations with Ethiopia, where
hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian Jews lived and were brought to the Jewish
state in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III said: “There is a greater issue
here, something that has to be addressed sooner or later. To be honest, so
far the [Israeli] Government has tried to keep out of the dispute. But now
it seems that the Government is under pressure to demonstrate concern in
helping resolve the issue.”
Bible bashiing
— In the 19th century a ladder was placed on a ledge above the
main entrance to the church. A priest from another denomination accused the
man of trespassing and a row began that has yet to be resolved. The ladder
is still there
— In 1995 the church announced it had reached a decision on how
to paint a part of the dome in the central part of the structure — but only
after 17 years’ debate
— In 2004 during Greek Orthodox celebrations of the Exaltation of
the Holy Cross, a door to the Franciscan chapel was left open. This was
taken as a sign of disrespect by the Greek Orthodox faction and a fight
broke out. There were several arrests
— Another fight broke out on Palm Sunday this year when a Greek
monk was ejected from the building by a rival faction. Police were attacked
by the feuding monks and several people were taken to hospital
Source: Times archives
Recently visited "Old Jerusalem" and walked the "Via Dolorosa"on 30/10/08 (Thursday) and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Presence of monks,religious followers,and tourists was overwhelming as also the "Infamous Ladder" at the church entrance.Religious politics at holiest site.
Rudolph.A.Furtado, Mumbai, India
More than enough comic material here for a Monty Python sequel.
Janet, London,
"Brothers, brothers... we mustn't fight each other! Surely we should be united against the common enemy!"
"The Judean People's Front?!"
Cameron, Cambridge,
This has such potential to be a great new season for "Big Brother" so to speak. Why just not load the place up with TV cameras and let the monks go at it. Put it on pay-per-view. Can't wait to find out who wins!!
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
Cults ? What Cults ? The proper term is Rites !
Not to excuse their actions, but this should be resolved in a Christian Manner !!!
John Zubalik, Reisterstown, MD. , U.S.A.
Should the building fall down I wonder if they will find sand underneath.
Shame on these so called Christian leaders who should know better.
Silent Chime, Wolverhampton, UK
So petty its funny. These so called "disputes" among the various factions have nothing whatsoever to do with religion or Chritianity......these are men with nothing but time on their hands and the means to stand around and think up reasons to act out. A shame about the church. oh well.
KJ, San Diego, US
And Its these obnoxious cults that want to set the moral tone for the rest of the world.
Tom Hall, Bangor, North Wales
The Nativity church in Bethlehem has a power sharing agreement between the various sects that is almost as big a problem as in Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday has become an annual brawl day for these groups with police stuck in the middle. The priests even beat each other with ceremonial branches!
Tony, Los Angeles, USA
And these are all Christians? No wonder I am an atheist.
Neil Murphy, cromer,
As a Christian, I am really ashamed and saddened by all this squabbles. These priests should ask themselves "How would Jesus have settled this".
Our Lord must be very saddened by all these. Jesus has said "Love" is the greatest of all gifts.
joechia, Jerteh, Malaysia
My solution is for the Copts and Ethiopians to become room mates. Play football. Go to the movies. Play cards. Tell jokes. Trim each other's beards. Have picnics together.
Liam, Hephzibah, USA
Could we have some footage please?
I'll provide the popcorn.
RM, Mumbai, India
Not too much Christian "love thy neighbour" going on there then eh! Good old religion - you couldn't make it up if you tried!
Tom, Warrington, UK
I hope that the monastery does come crashing down and obliterate the so-called Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It will finally bring the crucifixion site and the sepulchre into the light and open air, with nothing but a simple roof, so all can see the holy sites freely without ducking or constraints.
HenryR, Los Angeles, USA
This is the funniest thing I've read all week. In world of serious issues to read about learned grown men acting like little children over the course of many centuries is a sit-com waiting to happen.
Alex, Sheffield,
This has been going on for millenia. One of the joys of life is sitting in the Church of the Holy Sepulcre and watching the delicate dance the various sects play around each other in a tense maintanance of the status-quo.
JEF, Tel-Aviv,
What a perfect metaphor. Each faction is the 'true' religion. Each is practicing Jesus' 'will." All have missed the point.
Ron, Denver, USA
This is easily the funniest thing I have read in years. Seriously though as a Christian I am quite ashamed of the behaviour of all the churches mentioned above.
Gavin O'Neill, Malvern, USA
This is insanity. The warring monks had better swallow their pride and come together, at least to get the Church the repairs it needs, or nobody will be in charge of anything. The whole thing will collapse, and there will be no Church to fight over.
mary, los angeles, usa
A perfect demonstration of the fundamental stupidity of humankind...
Terry, Roxbury, USA
This isn't about Christianity or whatever, this is about a beautiful building falling down.
Is anyone else intrigued about monks living on the roof? It has a surreal ring to it ... Are they litte mini monks? Umpa Lumpas? Is the church some kind of mini city? Fascinating ...
starling, Lancaster, UK
Wow. Really does say it all, doesn't it? This is one of the most venerated and holy spots on Earth, where God's love supposedly shines most brightly, yet the humans who spend all their lives right above it fight with one another as if they were in a situation comedy, or perhaps a Three Stooges film.
John Clavis, New York City, USA
It is barbaric to speak of worshiping and scraping before God like a pathetic slave.
We have accepted and decided that slavery is evil. Therefore, it would be even MORE evil for there to be a God who enslaves us and makes us his playthings forever in Heaven.
There are no gods. You are free! Enjoy!
John Clavis, New York City, USA
Matthew 7:16 (NIV) - "By their fruit you will recognize them ...". Christians show Jesus - or not - in the fruit we bear. Good fruit comes from a true relationship with Jesus, not from religious traditions. Visit the Garden Tomb site where Christians of all backgrounds worship together in peace!
Tom, North Brunswick, NJ, USA
when my brothers and I would fight over a toy, mum would take it off us and threaten to distroy it. In the absence of a "mum", seems that the church will distroy itself...
Jen, Notting Hill, London,
How pointless, this building is of no importance to Christianity, Jesus Christ has a living body world wide.
Terry Amos, Anstey, Leicestershire
Absolutely hilarious! It is a shame that a beautiful old building will probably crumble, but this whole amusing situation speaks volumes about the craziness of religious people of ALL faiths! I think my favourite bit is the ladder on the porch story.
How logic & reason suffer from blind faith.
Victoria, London, UK
Christianity and capitalism seem quite similar to me. They both started out as decept concepts, but as time has gone on, the original ideals have been twisted and corrupted by people who seek to serve themselves. The difference? One does it consciously (capitalism), the other one doesn't (I hope).
ted, london, uk
Maybe the Roman Catholics should lead by example and abandon the place in protest against the acrimony.
Miland Joshi, Birmingham,
Martyn N, Dean, James and Rafael. Absolutely. This has nothing to do with Christianity which is about God's saving grace through his son, Jesus Christ.
David, Reading,
Let it crumble.
Dupont, Clichy, France
Is it not fantastic that all these Christian sects have to rely on the honest of a Muslim family since the 12th century. The gospel according to Brian of Python?
Mark, Jersey, GB
Not much *we* can do is there? It will be resolved as The Great A'Tuin wills or doesn't will whichever way He or She decides or doesn't, depending. The place might stand forever or it might not. Simple Theology 101 really.
Sam, Irvine, USA
Barry Purkis, I agree with you totally. Religion, in whatever form you may care to name, is a curse that has caused more trouble and grief to mankind than anything else you can think of.
Ian Dickson, Brighton, UK
Arguments in 1852 over denominational control of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre provoked grandstanding between Turkey, France & Russia that led to the Crimea War. It was and is a ridiculous situation that exposes religious dogma & intolerance in ways that are as farcical as they are dangerous.
Andy, Santa Barbara, USA
I am sure they will come to their senses when it falls down.
Fred, london,
Where's the Bishop when we need him ? He'd settle this once and for all...
Ian, Austin TX, USA
In view of the world's financial chaos it is high time to STOP churches charitable trust status and put the money back into education for all to benefit. Unattended churches in prime locations should be community/learning centres. This 'religious' squabbling says it all. A big con.
Jeanette, London, UK
Hopefully the roof will cave in and NOT harm anyone. Then the walls ca come crashing down also. Religion is nothing but an exercise in the attempt to gain power over someone else. Just look around you today.
Nad Bram, Seattle, USA
This discord is not an indictment of God, of Jesus, or of religion in general. It is an indictment of these specific people who have degenerated into idolatry. I was in Jerusalem in 2006. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was a sad, depressing place. However, the Garden Tomb was lovely & peaceful
Therese McGee, Chicago, USA
it'd funny to see them argue how and who is going to rebuilt the thing when it comes tumbling down.
Andreas Andreou, Cyprus,
"The keys to the main entrance of the church have been held by a Muslim family since the 12th century because the Christians do not trust one another." and the Ottoman (Turks) Muslims worked out the solution between the Christian fractions!
A lesson from history, worked the other way around then.
T Andre, London, UK
If Jesus were there in person, he'd throw them all out and admonish them about turning His Father's house into a den of thieves. This is supposed to be a Church and a Holy Site of worship. Instead, you have various men of the cloth figuratively setting up forts made of cardboard boxes like children
Rafael, New York City, USA
This dispute will soon resolve itself in the most obvious way - the whole thing will fall down and no-one will have it. But then I guess they'll spend the next 500 years blaming each other for the disaster!
Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk
What would Pascal say to all this?
jnik, Richmond, USA
Personally I think it proves that the Christ WAS crucified on that spot - a powerful negative force resides there; no peace will ever grow or thrive there. If the whole thing collapses - God's Will be done!
Mrinali Clarke, Melbourne, Australia
Religion and politics never mix well. This is just another example.
And yes, it is one of the holiest site in Christendom. All the smug happy clappy bible bashers today would be totally lost if sent back to worship in the the ancient Church.
Michael S, Auckland, New Zealand
Christianity as usual fights among themselves instead of Uniting to do things right as Christians.
Fixing the Churches roof is most important for now, fix the roof first then argue.
What is wrong with Christianity these days, .They juts like to fight over everything, name it they will fight over.
L.A. ISUFI, B. County .N.J., United States
Its fabulous. A great money earner would be to put some web cams in and we can have 24hr reality TV showing us how truly revolting, riduculous and funny religion is. To say this does not represent 'my' religion misses the point that this is the foundation of all christianity today.
Tim, HK, HK
Anti-religious invective aside, this is awfully funny (in a sad kind of way). If only they hadn't taken every apparent opportunity to prove themselves untrustworthy, they could have worked out something by now.
I'm Catholic, but I'd give the keys to a Hindu before letting these clowns get them.
Ted Tyro, Canberra, Australia
The whole lot should be run out of town and the building taken over by the U.N. and treated as an absolutely neutral area.
rbird, Orland, U.S.
You've got to laugh - that's people for you! I'm sure Jesus is more concerned about their behaviour; the building seems merely to act as a metaphor for the same.
Abdul Majeed, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK
Go for it ! Then the Qa'aba and then the wailing wall ! ALL OF IT
Jammy, Anytown, USA
"Christendom’s holiest site?" I don't think so. The monks fighting over that building are worshiping an idol. Christendom’s holiest site is any place where the saving grace of Christ's sacrifice is shared with another soul.
Dean, Atlanta, GA, USA
That was worth repeating!
Ono, Osaka, Japan
Martyn in NZ - truthfully said! and now my turn to be off to work.
Ono, Osaka, Japan
Time to bring forth the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch (or at least some teargas).
Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who being not in my sight shall suffer. Amen.
One, two, five!
Three sir!
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
Christianity isn't continuing the way Jesus christ wanted it to continue. Jesus is one but his religion have been divided into pieces,call it Catholic,evangelist,episcppal seventh adventists,pent coste etc.the division comes in the greed of individuals for their own benefit.
Teklai, franklin,
Very very amusing. People who believe in an invisible friend......... I hope this is only in the news as a witty anecdote.
Stu, London, England
The Holy Sepulchre is not what it puports to be; it is in the wrong place.. In Roman times, people were always buried outside the city walls, yet we know that at the time of Christ the place where the Holy Sepulchre stands was inside those walls. it is therefore likely to be more fantasy than fact.
Ian Webb, Bangkok, Thailand
Dean of Atlanta and Martyn N of Auckland are absolutely right. The focus of Christianity is and should be the soul and the worship God, not who owns or controls stone and mortar. This site, worthy of preservation, is a pilgrimage/tourism and historical site a little else.
James, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
This is absolutely hilarious. It sounds like Monty Python "Life of Brian" stuff. A ladder still there from the 19th century? Warring monks fighting because someone moved a chair? Are you kidding me? Let the old thing fall down.
Steve, Shrewsbury, USA
This story makes one admit that "The life of Brian" is a rather excellent documentary on the overall subject.
RONNIE, PARIS, FRANCE
a. It's fortunate that American-style fundamentalists don't ALSO want a say. But then they do enough damage of their own b. And they wonder why Jews (and Moslems) don't rush to convert to Christianity??
Ed A, Boston, Mass., U.S.
Hilarious...
This is the why people shouldn't believe in magical super beings... they end up thinking that they are in charge, because that magical super being is on their side.
Daniel, Fontana, CA, USA
This story illustrates clearly why I believe that all organised and institutional Christianity is an abomination. I agree with an earlier post:- these far from spiritual monks are indeed worshipping an idol. They are idolators.
Robert Douglas, Princes Risborough, UK
"Christendom’s holiest site?" I don't think so. The monks fighting over that building are worshiping an idol. Christendom’s holiest site is any place where the saving grace of Christ's sacrifice is shared with another soul.
Dean, Atlanta, GA, USA
I suggest they pray for god to fix it. Then they can wait around for a couple of weeks and when nothing happens it will be clear that they can all forget about their various religious nonsenses and spend their time doing something more useful.
Michael, Maidstone, Kent
interesting that people call these things perversions of christianity when this is the way that the early church worshipped. It truly is a shame that these groups can't come to an ageement though. To the one calling it perversion I recommend you read up on early church history and theology.
Thomas, chino,
Fantastic anecdotes about the Christian factions. Fighting over their 'holiest site' - a very good advert for the religion!
K Lambert, Staffs,
This is hilarious.
kannan, San Diego, USA
Christendom’s holiest site? That's not a view universally shared by all Christians. Surely you mean it is the holiest site for Catholic, Orthodox and Coptic Christians. I visited the site about 20 years ago and found it one of the most sinister and unwelcoming places I've ever been to.
Steve Mac, Lisburn, UK
The more I read about Religions of all types the more convinced I become that Religion is simply a disguise for evil, and an excuse for behaving insanely.
Barry Purkis, Havant, England
A real hornet's nest! My sympathies are with the Israeli government; disagreements between the different branches of Judaism are a vicarage tea-party compared with the rancorous disputes between this lot. That Jesus died there is probably baloney, and he sure never rose from the dead. End of story!
JF, Canterbury, UK
Funny, I bet if it were a synagogue things would have been different.
Small minded, a reflection of the people. Look at Gaza...
charles, Cirencester, Great Britain
You people don't understand. People aren't good because of religion, they're good because they're good people, not because they're good religious people.
I hope that cleared a couple thousand years of confusion up for you :)
Kazuki, Tokyo, Japan
Sadly it's because all these perversions of Christianity tend to focus on the dead (veneration of the saints for example) rather than worship of the living God.
Let's go back to meeting in houses (or even in schools as my own congregation does) and not worry about buildings any longer.
Andy, London,
great job guys, read the bible recently about how if someone sues you and wants your shirt, give him your coat too?matthew 5:40.
calling yourselves christians and acting like barbarians. what an utter disgrace.
dc, singapore,
Seen from the "uttermost ends of the earth" (NZ) this row over a shed is embarrassing and irrelevant to Christianity.
Christendom's holiest site is the soul of person who has just opened themselves to Jesus.
Cheers I'm off to work!
Martyn N, Auckland, New Zealand
I am sure Jesus would be thrilled to see how his followers are prepared to utterly disown his message of peace and brotherhood in order to prove that they love him the most. They've got their priorities down to a tee, that lot.
Lizzie, London,
I visited 33 years ago. At that time the animosity between the custodians was palpable and made the visit very unpleasant. This church has been a battleground for centuries and nothing has changed.
Linda Dial, Calgary, Canada
I thought religion preached against greed, power, hate, distrust??? No wonder people are turning away in their droves.
Kevin, Durham,