Fri Dec 13 10:39:54 UTC 2024: ## Crown of Thorns Returns to Notre Dame Cathedral
**Paris, France** – Five years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral, a revered Christian relic, the Crown of Thorns, has been returned to its historic home. The relic, a circular band of branches encased in gold, was saved from the 2019 blaze thanks to the swift actions of firefighters.
A ceremony presided over by the archbishop of Paris and attended by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher marked the occasion on December 13, 2024. The Crown of Thorns, first mentioned by Jerusalem pilgrims in the 5th century, has a long and storied history, passing through Constantinople before ultimately finding its way to France in the 13th century.
Beginning January 10, 2025, the relic will be available for public veneration every Friday until April 18th (Good Friday), and subsequently on the first Friday of each month. This return marks a significant milestone in the ongoing restoration of the iconic cathedral.
First Piper 