Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests and monks came to blows during preparations for Orthodox Christmas celebrations at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity.

Scuffles break out often at the church where Christians believe Jesus was born, when rival groups of clerics perceive another group has encroached on their territory.

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Two days after Christmas, 2011, bemused tourists looked on as about 100 priests fought with brooms while cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas celebrations scheduled for January 7, 2012.

Palestinian police armed with batons and shields broke up the clashes.

Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi of the Bethlehem police said,”No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God. It was a trivial problem that… occurs every year,” he told Reuters.

The 1,700-year-old church, one of the holiest sites in Christianity, is in a bad state of repair, largely because the priests cannot agree on who should pay for its upkeep. Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, has also seen similar incidents.