Holy relic the Crown of Thorns to return to Notre Dame Cathedral
13 December 2024, 18:24
The relic is believed by many to be the crown that Jesus Christ wore on the cross.
An ancient relic that some Christians revere as Jesus Christ’s Crown of Thorns has returned to Notre Dame, nearly five years after it was saved from the flames of the cathedral’s devastating 2019 fire.
The crown, a circular band of branches encased in a gilded, golden tube, was brought back to its historic home on Friday.
The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Paris and attended by knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, marking a key moment in the cathedral’s restoration journey.
The relic was first mentioned by Jerusalem pilgrims in the 5th century before being transferred to Constantinople in the 10th century.
In 1239, it was acquired by King Louis IX of France, who brought it to Paris and housed it at Notre Dame before commissioning the Sainte-Chapelle for its safekeeping.
During the fire that consumed much of Notre Dame on April 15 2019, the Crown of Thorns was preserved in a sealed case alongside other relics.
Firefighters’ quick actions ensured the survival of those treasures.
Starting on January 10, the Crown of Thorns will be displayed for public veneration every Friday until April 18, culminating on Good Friday. Afterward, it will be shown on the first Friday of each month.
