The Crown of Thorns, an ancient artifact long associated with Jesus Christ, has made its long-awaited return to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, five years after it was saved from the devastating fire that engulfed the historical landmark. The relic, contained within a golden tube encased in crystal, was brought back during a ceremony led by Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich.
Return of the Crown of Thorns to Notre-Dame Cathedral Marks a Historic Moment
Return of the Crown of Thorns to Notre-Dame Cathedral Marks a Historic Moment
An iconic relic preserved through great effort returns to its rightful place in the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Originally acquired by King Louis IX in 1239 for a significant sum reflecting nearly half of France's annual budget, the Crown of Thorns has a storied history. It was initially housed at Sainte-Chapelle before being relocated to Notre-Dame's treasury in 1806, where it remained until the catastrophic fire destroyed much of the cathedral's interior and its iconic spire.
In a remarkable act of heroism, firefighters and police formed a human chain to safely retrieve the crown and other historic items from the flames. For a period, the relic was kept at the Louvre Museum while extensive renovations took place at the cathedral. The crown has now been placed in a newly constructed reliquary, replacing the original made in 1806.
A ceremonial procession, attended by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, heralded the return of the Crown of Thorns. Public display of the relic is set to commence on January 10, according to French media sources. The Crown of Thorns, infamously used to taunt Jesus and inflict pain during his crucifixion, carries immense religious significance.
The cathedral itself reopened on December 8, following an extensive €700 million restoration involving roughly 2,000 skilled workers from various trades. This historic event attracted world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke of the restoration as a lesson in resilience: "We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility and will."
From its exquisite stained glass to the detailed restoration of gargoyles and other architectural features, Notre-Dame stands as a testament to both faith and craftsmanship, celebrating the return of its revered artifacts.
In a remarkable act of heroism, firefighters and police formed a human chain to safely retrieve the crown and other historic items from the flames. For a period, the relic was kept at the Louvre Museum while extensive renovations took place at the cathedral. The crown has now been placed in a newly constructed reliquary, replacing the original made in 1806.
A ceremonial procession, attended by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, heralded the return of the Crown of Thorns. Public display of the relic is set to commence on January 10, according to French media sources. The Crown of Thorns, infamously used to taunt Jesus and inflict pain during his crucifixion, carries immense religious significance.
The cathedral itself reopened on December 8, following an extensive €700 million restoration involving roughly 2,000 skilled workers from various trades. This historic event attracted world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke of the restoration as a lesson in resilience: "We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility and will."
From its exquisite stained glass to the detailed restoration of gargoyles and other architectural features, Notre-Dame stands as a testament to both faith and craftsmanship, celebrating the return of its revered artifacts.
