Protesters Storm Historic Greek Orthodox Church in Nazareth
Group calling themselves “Soldiers of God” accused of desecrating Annunciation site amid protest over Damascus attack.
NAZARETH — The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth reported that a group of protesters calling themselves “Soldiers of God” forcibly entered the church on Sunday evening, removing its outer gate and ringing the bell without permission while the building was closed. The church condemned the incident as a desecration of a holy site and stated it had filed a police complaint.
According to reporting from the Jerusalem Post, the intruders claimed to be protesting the recent terror attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which killed 25 people. Video footage circulated online shows a Greek Orthodox priest attempting to calm the demonstrators, who were seen waving Israel and Israeli-Christian flags. Some in the crowd appeared to strike others with wooden crosses.
Senior clergy arrived at the scene to confront the group and summon police. The National Democratic Assembly in Nazareth condemned the incident, calling it “an attack on Nazareth and its people” and accusing the group of attempting to “sow discord” in the community.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation – also known as the Church of Saint Gabriel – is built over a spring associated with the Virgin Mary and is considered to be the site where the Annunciation took place. The site holds deep historical and religious importance for Orthodox Christians and was rebuilt in 1750 after it was destroyed by Sultan Baibars in the 13th century.
