items of interest

with contributions from Jonathan Kirsch, Victor Greto

Millions of Christians are expected to visit the Holy Land this year, and for a large number, that will include a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. What many of those visitors may not find out is that this nine-hundred-year-old church is under the care of several different religious denominations. Working together is not always easy.

Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Roman Catholic churches have the main control. But others, such as the Ethiopian, Egyptian Copt, and Syrian churches, have a share in the smaller parts. For example, the Ethiopians control only the part of the roof that covers Jesus' tomb.

Almost as a reflection of the territorial ambitions of the political groups in the Middle East, each religious group is very possessive of its particular area of control.

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