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According to the Associated Press, a momentous event recently took place in Paris, France: the Crown of Thorns, one of the most sacred relics of Christianity, has been officially returned to Notre Dame Cathedral. This event comes nearly five years after the devastating fire in April 2019, when rescuers bravely retrieved this priceless artifact from the flames that ravaged the cathedral.
The 2019 fire caused extensive damage to Notre Dame Cathedral, an architectural and cultural icon not only of France but also of the world. In that critical moment, protecting and saving the relics, including the Crown of Thorns, became an urgent task. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the firefighters and staff, the Crown of Thorns was preserved intact.
The Crown of Thorns, one of the most priceless and sacred relics of Christianity, has officially been returned to Notre Dame Cathedral, nearly five years after its devastating fire in April 2019.
The return of the Crown of Thorns is not simply a matter of putting an artifact back in its place. It carries profound symbolic meaning, marking a significant step in the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral. The Crown of Thorns, according to legend, is the crown of thorns that Roman soldiers placed on Jesus' head before his crucifixion. Therefore, it is a symbol of sacrifice, suffering, and faith. The return of the Crown of Thorns to Notre Dame Cathedral is a sign of hope, of rebirth, and a great source of spiritual comfort for the Catholic community worldwide. At the same time, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage, historical witnesses, and symbols of humanity in the face of adversity.
This is a historical symbol.
The first traces of the existence of this sacred relic were recorded by pilgrims to Jerusalem in the 5th century. These records, though fragmented, revealed the reverence that believers held for this artifact from a very early time. In 1239, the crown was acquired by King Louis IX of France and brought to Paris, where it was placed in Notre Dame Cathedral. He later entrusted it to the Church of Sainte-Chapelle for safekeeping, and it was subsequently returned to Notre Dame Cathedral. During the fire on April 15, 2019, the Crown of Thorns was preserved in a sealed box along with several other ancient artifacts, according to AP. Firefighters quickly collected them before the fire spread further.
The crown is housed in a gold-inlaid box and kept in the church's treasure vault, only occasionally displayed to the public.
The Crown of Thorns, a priceless relic, is a simple coiled branch, then encased in a gilded ring for protection and veneration. This humble appearance holds profound religious significance and a long history.
Interestingly, in 2018, biologists at Israel's Volcani Agricultural Research Center made a significant discovery concerning the tree believed to have created this crown: the jujube tree (Ziziphus spina-christi). Their research showed that this tree possesses an incredible ability to adapt to harsh conditions, particularly its tolerance of high temperatures and arid environments. This robust survival ability has led scientists to believe that the jujube tree could play a key role in preventing desertification. They have called it a "pioneer" in the fight against land desertification, an increasingly serious global environmental problem.
