The Holy Sepulchre Struggle: Jerusalem's Christian Denominational Rifts

    The different Christian denominations living in Jerusalem have had a history of conflict and disagreement, but while Jerusalem was under Ottoman rule, the dispute seemed to intensify. Much of the turmoil stemmed from the Franciscans, who were seen as aliens and outsiders, and managed to squeeze their way into Jerusalem before the Ottoman empire officially took control of the city. The Franciscans assumed authority of the Cenacle Church and even gained a spot in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After a feud between Sultan Sulemain of the Ottoman Empire and the Franciscans, as a peaceful gesture to King Francis I of France, Suleiman gave control of the sacred Christian spaces in Jerusalem officially to the Franciscans. This action caused the vulnerable relationship between the Christian denominations to exponentially intensify.
    Tensions reached such a peak that “the Franciscans formed themselves into a national community to guard the holy places on behalf of Latin Christendom” and even “Battle lines had been drawn and preliminary skirmishing began in the long, fight between Greek and Western Christians for the control of Christ’s sepulcher” (Armstrong, 331). This escalation of tensions underscored the deep-seated divisions within Jerusalem's Christian community, setting the stage for prolonged struggles over control and religious authority. In less than a year, the Fransicans transformed from a small bakery on Mount Sion into a prospering compound, named St. Saviour, seemingly rising above all other Christian denominations in Jerusalem.
    Slowly the Ottoman Empire’s power started to decline, and inversely the European powers gained more influence in Jerusalem, which continued to increase the Franciscan’s authority. As the Franciscans made strides forward, the Greek Orthodox Church was improving its operations with greater efficiency, emerging as a more formidable force. The control of the Holy Sepulchre alternated between the two groups for a period, until the Ottomans implemented a system where they auctioned off the holy spaces to the highest bidder. The auction ultimately resulted in the Greeks regaining control of the Holy Sepulchre. The site held great significance for all Christians as it is the place where Jesus was believed to be crucified and resurrected. In Jerusalem's chaotic religious history, the contest over the Holy Sepulchre epitomizes the enduring rivalry among Christian denominations.

Photo Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/round-the-clock-excavations-at-church-of-holy-sepulchre-yield-historical-treasures/