Church of Holy Sepulchre's Bank Acct. Is Frozen; Jerusalem Water Co. Says Church Owes It $2.3M

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre -- believed to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial -- is facing financial sanction by the Jerusalem Water Company over a $2.3 million bill that the Church has yet to pay. The Church -- which is located in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City -- is a major draw for tourists and pilgrims from around the world, the Inquisitr website reports today (November 4, 2012).

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem had its bank account frozen by the water company until the bill is paid. The Church has extensive and valuable property holdings in the Holy Land and maintains a headquarters in the ancient church.

The Church claims there has been an informal agreement with the Jerusalem Municipality that the Church would be exempt from paying the bill. The water company says that Israeli law does not permit the Jerusalem Municipality to make such an agreement.

Constantine the Great -- the first Christian Roman Emperor -- ordered the church built after his mother Queen Helena visited the site known as Golgotha and confirmed its significance. The Church was built in the 4th century AD.