Nearly a week after the reopening of the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the relic revered by Catholics as Jesus’ crown of thorns was brought there. Numerous Catholics, including many priests and religious of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, took part in a procession to bring the relic, encased in a glass ring, back into the cathedral for the first time since the fire five years ago.
Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich then celebrated a Mass with about 2,000 participants. The French King Louis IX. had bought the relic in the 13th century and had the Sainte-Chapelle built for it. It is venerated as the crown of thorns that Jesus wore at his crucifixion. According to the New Testament, it was done to him by Roman soldiers who wanted to mock him.
Crown of Thorns now in a special shrine
During the French Revolution the relic was kept in the Vatican. Napoleon, who crowned himself emperor in Notre-Dame, had the crown of thorns brought to the cathedral.
Over time, various reliquaries have been created. Currently, the relic, which consists of several braided branches, is housed in a transparent ring. There are no more thorns; they were sold separately.
Before the fire, the crown of thorns was displayed for veneration on the first Friday of the month and on Good Friday. The restored cathedral now houses a large new reliquary made of cedar wood with concentrically arranged cut glass stones.
Notre-Dame was severely damaged by fire on April 15, 2019. The entire roof structure burned down and the cross tower fell burning into the nave. Thanks to generous donations from around the world worth a total of 846 million euros, the cathedral was thoroughly restored in just over five years.
Source: Krone
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