The Muslim Run Christian Church

Jesus was allegedly crucified here. And buried here. And was resurrected here. All crucial events in Christian history. No wonder so many Christian segregations are squabbling to be part of this holy site—the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the walled city of Jerusalem.

An attempt to institute some peace meant a drawing of territorial lines in 1767, a division so fiercely protected that a simple changing of a light bulb or the movement of a chair to gain some shadow might cause a multitude of fighting words and even bodily harm.

One of the primary churches in this heated situation is the familiar Roman Catholic Church, joined by the Greek Orthodox and the Armenian Apostolic.

Later on, other churches were added such as the Coptic Orthodox, the Ethiopian Orthodox and the Syriac Orthodox, whose territories were to a lesser degree than the three primary churches. Nevertheless, their presence only increased the tension within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Therefore, a “neutral” party needed to be in place. Actually there are two. One Muslim family was entrusted with the key in 1192. Their responsibility is to bring the key to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre doors.

Another Muslim family, who has been in charge of the church doors since 637, is charged with using the key to open the Church of the Holy Sepulchre doors.

Note I would like to say thank you to my friend, Sister Merle Salazar of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, for sharing the image above and the interesting tidbit that was gleaned from her month long sojourn in Jerusalem.

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