The Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ, makes its way back to Notre-Dame Cathedral in a significant ceremony following the devastating 2019 fire.
Crown of Thorns Reinstated at Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral
Crown of Thorns Reinstated at Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral
Solemn ceremony marks the return of the ancient relic after five years of restoration efforts
The iconic Crown of Thorns has been officially returned to Notre-Dame Cathedral, five years after it was rescued from the disastrous fire that struck the historic church in Paris. The ancient relic, encased in a crystalline tube adorned with gold, was brought back during a solemn ceremony officiated by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.
Originally acquired by King Louis IX of France in 1239 for an astonishing 135,000 livres—a substantial sum comprising nearly half of France’s annual budget of the time—the Crown of Thorns has a storied history. Initially housed at Sainte-Chapelle, it was later relocated to the treasury of Notre-Dame in 1806, where it survived until the catastrophic blaze that tore through the cathedral.
In the efforts to save the relic during the fire, a dedicated line of firefighters and police formed a human chain, ensuring the safety of this invaluable historic artifact among others. Following the fire that devastated Notre-Dame, the crown was temporarily housed in the Louvre Museum while the cathedral underwent extensive renovations.
On Friday, a procession marking the crown's return included members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a Catholic knighthood. Following this ceremony, French media reports confirm that the Crown of Thorns will be accessible to the public starting January 10, 2024.
Biblical accounts detail that the Crown of Thorns was utilized by Jesus's captors to inflict pain and mock his authority. The recently completed restoration of Notre-Dame, which reopened to the public on December 8, involved an investment of approximately €700 million (£582 million) and the expertise of around 2,000 craftsmen, ensuring that vital structures like the gargoyles, spires, and stained glass were preserved.
The reopening ceremony enlisted the attendance of world leaders, during which French President Emmanuel Macron eloquently reflected on the restoration’s significance, stating, “We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility and will.”
