Can you say “Black eye on the reputation of all Christians everywhere“? As this source explains,
Use of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is governed by an intricate set of rules that allow several different Christian denominations access to different parts of the church building, with common areas that are available for shared used on a carefully negotiated schedule. Conflicts between the different denominations are common. To prevent further violence, the keys to the church building are held by a local Muslim family, under the terms of an agreement that dates back to the Ottoman empire.
Frankly, it’s pathetic that such an arrangement is even needed. And yes, I’m quite aware that Protestant Christians behave even worse on a regular basis. But at least no one has ever entrusted us with the responsibility of maintaining a place of worship deemed sacred to all believers in Jesus Christ. (Unless, of course, you’re a fan of the “Garden Tomb.” Personally, I’m a bit skeptical.)
Whenever I see a story like this, I want to break into a chorus of “They’ll know we are Christians by our love….”
(H/T: Jim West, David Koysis)
I enjoy the fact that it was two different Orthodox churches whose priests were fighting. Those people need some kind of, I don’t know, a universal Patriarch or something, to sort them out.