Crown of Thorns Restored to Notre-Dame Cathedral Amid Joyous Ceremony

An ancient relic believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ has officially returned to Notre-Dame Cathedral during a ceremony led by the Archbishop of Paris.

The Crown of Thorns, a revered artefact encased in glass and gold, has restored its place at Notre-Dame following a five-year ordeal post-catastrophic fire. The ceremonial return took place on Friday, presided over by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, marking a significant moment in the cathedral's restoration journey.

Acquired by France’s King Louis IX in 1239 from Constantinople for an astounding sum that constituted nearly half of France's annual budget, the Crown of Thorns was initially kept in Sainte-Chapelle before moving to the cathedral's treasury in 1806. The relic narrowly escaped destruction when a massive fire broke out in April 2019, ravaging the centuries-old structure. Thanks to the quick actions of firefighters and police, the crown, along with other essential artefacts, was salvaged as the fire wreaked havoc on the building, leading to the collapse of its iconic spire.

For the past few years, the precious crown resided in the Louvre Museum, while the cathedral underwent significant renovations led by over 2,000 craftsmen for an estimated €700 million (£582 million). During the return ceremony, a procession included members from the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, a prominent Catholic knighthood.

Starting January 10, the public will be able to view the restored Crown of Thorns, now housed in a newly constructed reliquary replacing the one lost during the fire. Notre-Dame reopened to visitors on December 8, with French President Emmanuel Macron remarking on the importance of preserving the lessons learned from the cathedral’s fragility during the reopening ceremony, which was attended by numerous world leaders.

As Notre-Dame continues to regain its place in the heart of Paris, the restored crown symbolizes hope and resilience in the face of adversity.