INTERNATIONAL NEWS - One of the most precious and awe-inspiring relics kept inside the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Crown of Thorns, believed to have been pressed on the head of Christ at the crucifixion, survived the devastating fire that razed through the Notre Dame Cathedral and caused severe damage to large parts of its interior on Monday 15 April.
Of all the sacred items that have survived none has held more powerful significance to followers of Christ, than the Crown of Thorns, which is said to have been brought to Paris by Louis IX, in the 13th century.
On Good Friday 2019 at a service in the Saint Sulpice Church, near Notre Dame Cathedral, the Crown of Thorns, still intact, was displayed to worshipers as part of the Easter ceremony.
The famed Great Organ from Notre Dame, among the most famous and largest such instruments in the world, survived undamaged. The Great Organ, one of two in the cathedral, has an estimated 8 000 pipes. Amazingly, the cathedral's altar and a golden cross are still standing amid the debris, along with many of the pews and surrounding statues.
Art experts are still examining whether the famous stained-glass windows have sustained any damage, and whether any other relics have been damaged when the spire collapsed in flames.
The cathedral’s rector told The Associated Press that nothing inside was damaged except for minor damage to the altar. Patrick Chauvet said Good Friday this year was special “because I believe that from this suffering there will be a renaissance.”
*Source: AP and Christpher Brito of CBS News
IN KORT
Van die waardevolste relieke uit die Notre Dame Katedraal wat die groot brand van Maandag 15 April 2019 vrygespring het, moet sekerlik die Doring-kroon wees wat, soos geglo word, Christus gedra het met sy kruisiging.
Daar is min wat meer meer tref as hierdie simbool van lyding en vernedering.
Dit word so oorgedra dat hierdie doring-kroon in die 13de eeu deur Louis IX na Parys gebring is, waar dit sedertdien in die Katedraal bewaar word.
Op Goeie Vrydag, in die naburige St Sulpice kerk, is die onbeskadigde simbool aan aanbidders ten toon gestel.
