The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-04
THE HOLY PLACES.

The Latest Difficulty I'm Palestine-COn-
hicting Claims OF the Latins and
Greeks-The Holy Scpulchre and the
Church OF the Observation-Disclosures
Work ON Sacred Ground.
The old quarrel respecting the rights OF the
Latin and Greek monks at the Holy Places
has been once more revived, and though
q final settlement may be reached there is little
hope that such result will be accomplished
The memories associated with the Holy Places are
full of solemn interest for every religious mind,
and, Notwithstanding the efforts OF the Turkish
government to preserve peace on what should De
common meeting ground for all Christians angry
controversies are constantly arising and not un-
frequently sanguine conflicts. These difficulties
nave been too, turned into causes OF rupture be-
tween nations, and have led in our own day to
long and bloody war.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY sEPULCHRB.
The Holy Places strictly described, are group
Of sacred spots in Palestine, OF which the Church
OF the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem, is the centre
They are supposed to comprise the sites Of the
chief events OF our Lords birth, passion, death
and burial; and the Garden OF Gethsemane, the
Last Supper room the stable In which Christ was
born the Church Of the Ascension, and the tomb
Of the Virgin. The Church Of the Sepulchre stands
within the modern city, in the Latin quarter.
oblong form. 1t Is surmounted by rich ceiling,
decorated with gold, silver and precious marble.
dome. with which are connected oratories for
Syrians, Copts and Maronites. In the body
q the church are separate places Of wof-
Christians. Opposite the entrance Is the Stone
OF Unction, which is shown as the stone on
which our Lords body was Amounted before en-
tombment; and above is an elevation, approached
by steps, the traditional Mount Calvary, on which
now stands rich dome-shaped building, foored
VII MT n w ~ Ia
cavity supposed to have been formed by the erec-
ton OF the cross. Numberless pilgrims from all
lem to do homage at these sacred spots The Otto
man authorities maintain the establishments but
the French and Russian governments exercise an
exceptional contro respectively over the Latin
and Greek churches and convents-
THE TROUBLE AT BETHLEHEM.
Bethlehem the place OF Christ's and King David's
birth, where the latest conflict has taken place, is
wholly populated by Latins, Greeks and Armenans.
mentioned in the Bible The Catholic monastery,
the only public building OF any Importance. en-
closes the cave which is the alleged place
sembes fortress, and was built by the Empress
Helena over fifteen centuries ago. it was
was restored by the Crusaders Within il is the
Church OF the Nativity, which, like and in connec-
tion with the Church OF the Holy Sepulchre at Jeru
salem, Is subdivlded among Latins, Greeks and
Armenians. Each community has q separate
portion OF the edifce Tor devotional purposes The
nave, by lar the finest portion Of the building, is
supported by forty.eight Cornthian columns OF
solid granite. The other portions are walled up.
The part which forms the head OF the cross
and on the threshold is sculptured mar
BILE star, which, 1t is alleged, covers the central
point Of the earth. There long, intricate passage
descends to the crypt, below which, II is also said,
the Blessed virgin was delivered. The manger
stands in low recess cut IN the rock Few feet
from this star.
THE CRIMEAN WAR.
The last serious dispute about the Holy Places oc-
Cured in 1850. IL was in itself insignificant but 1t
turned out to be one OF the principal causes that
led to the Crmean war. The various sects, par
ticuarly the Latns and Greeks, have been, as init
mated before for ages involved in quarres regard
ing their possession, and the Turkish government
has been applied to an arbiter by both Sides
These quarrels assumed political aspect from the
interference OF Russia on behalf OF the monks OF
the Greek Church and OF France on behalf OF the
Catholics Concessions were made to the latter in
1852 by the Sultan, which would have satisfied the
French government; but within month after
wards decree was published by the Porte In IA
yor OF the Greeks allowing them several privileges
which were entirely inconsistent with the terms
which had already been granted the Catholics
Notwithstanding these complaints peaceful ar
rangement was on the point OF being effected
when the Russian government interiered and
made the question q cause OF rupture with Turkey.
Prince Menschikon was sent to ConstantinOple
to effect settlement, but his demands soon ex-
tended much further, and affected the condition
OF all Christrian subjects of the sultan, SO as TO
place them virtually under Russian instead OF
Porte, and, In consequence q Russian army selzed
the Danubian Principalties. The result OF the war
was highly beneficial to the Christian inhabitants
OF Turkey, but IL left the question Of the Holy
Places In the aarpA unsatisfactory position as
nalore.