IN A rare ecumenical ceremony, four Christian leaders this week reconsecrated Jerusalem's Church. of the Holy Sepulchre following an attack on the shrine by vandals.
The Latin-rite Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian patriarchs of Jerusalem joined forces with the Franciscan custodian of the Holy Land at the church. which according to tradition marks Christ's burial site.
"Today the church of Jerusalem is in mourning," the churchmen said.
Last week a man described by Israeli police as an "eccentric" English-speaking tourist in his 30s and a female companion were arrested after sacred objects were smashed and desecrated.