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Priest helped firefighters rescue treasures from burning Notre Dame Priest helped rescue treasures from burning Notre Dame
(about 1 hour later)
A priest who comforted the wounded in the Bataclan concert hall after the Paris terror attacks in 2015 joined a human chain of firefighters to help save priceless religious relics from the burning Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday night.A priest who comforted the wounded in the Bataclan concert hall after the Paris terror attacks in 2015 joined a human chain of firefighters to help save priceless religious relics from the burning Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday night.
Jean-Marc Fournier, the chaplain of the Paris fire brigade, insisted on being allowed to enter the edifice with firefighters, Philippe Goujon, the mayor of Paris’ 15th district, told reporters outside the cathedral on Tuesday.Jean-Marc Fournier, the chaplain of the Paris fire brigade, insisted on being allowed to enter the edifice with firefighters, Philippe Goujon, the mayor of Paris’ 15th district, told reporters outside the cathedral on Tuesday.
Etienne Loraillère, editor of France’s KTO Catholic television network, tweeted that Fournier had helped to “save the Crown of Thorns and the Blessed Sacrament”. Etienne Loraillère, the editor of France’s KTO Catholic television network, tweeted that Fournier had helped save the Crown of Thorns and the Blessed Sacrament.
Le père Fournier, aumônier des @PompiersParis, est allé avec des pompiers dans la cathédrale #NotreDame pour sauver la couronne d’épines et le Saint-Sacrement... pic.twitter.com/4IoLVdoJZWLe père Fournier, aumônier des @PompiersParis, est allé avec des pompiers dans la cathédrale #NotreDame pour sauver la couronne d’épines et le Saint-Sacrement... pic.twitter.com/4IoLVdoJZW
Fournier previously spent seven years with the French armed forces, including a tour in Afghanistan. His bravery had been noted after the 2015 Bataclan attack, when he tended to the injured and prayed over the dead. Fournier previously spent seven years with the French armed forces, including a tour in Afghanistan. His bravery was noted after the 2015 Bataclan attack, when he tended to the injured and prayed over the dead.
The 850-year-old cathedral, whose spire and roof were largely destroyed in Monday’s blaze, is home to a large number of irreplaceable works of art, musical instruments, statues, woodwork and religious relics A full list is posted on its website. The 850-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral, whose spire and roof were largely destroyed in Monday’s blaze, is home to a large number of irreplaceable works of art, musical instruments, statues, woodwork and religious relics A full list is posted on its website.
A pre-existing plan to protect Notre-Dame’s treasures had been rapidly and successfully activated, officials said in the early hours of Tuesday morning. France’s culture minister, Frank Riester, tweeted photos of the operation. Officials said a pre-existing plan to protect Notre Dame’s treasures had been activated rapidly. France’s culture minister, Franck Riester, tweeted photos of the operation.
“Agents of the culture ministry, aided by the archbishop’s staff, the Paris fire brigade and the security services, are evacuating the works inside the cathedral,” Riester said. “They are being progressively brought to safety.”“Agents of the culture ministry, aided by the archbishop’s staff, the Paris fire brigade and the security services, are evacuating the works inside the cathedral,” Riester said. “They are being progressively brought to safety.”
Les agents du @MinistereCC, épaulés par les équipes de l’archevêché, les @PompiersParis et les forces de sécurité, évacuent les œuvres se trouvant à l’intérieur de la cathédrale. Elles sont progressivement mises en sécurité. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/iINHyUqJMELes agents du @MinistereCC, épaulés par les équipes de l’archevêché, les @PompiersParis et les forces de sécurité, évacuent les œuvres se trouvant à l’intérieur de la cathédrale. Elles sont progressivement mises en sécurité. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/iINHyUqJME
A significant proportion of the cathedral’s masterpieces and sacred relics were saved from the fire, authorities have confirmed, but by no means all.A significant proportion of the cathedral’s masterpieces and sacred relics were saved from the fire, authorities have confirmed, but by no means all.
SavedSaved
The Holy Crown of ThornsThe Holy Crown of Thorns
One of Notre Dame’s most treasured relics, the crown purports to be a band of rushes from the original crown of thorns placed on Jesus’s head during his crucifixion. One of Notre Dame’s most treasured relics, the crown purports to be a band of rushes from the original crown of thorns placed on Jesus’s head during his crucifixion. Originally from Jerusalem, in 1238 it was given to King Louis IX, who built the Sainte-Chappelle in Paris especially to house it. It was later transferred to Notre Dame.
Originally from Jerusalem, it was given to King Louis IX in 1238, who built the Sainte-Chappelle in Paris especially to house it, and was later transferred to Notre Dame. Individual thorns have been distributed as relics around the world: the Notre Dame relic is the original circlet of rushes, encased in rock crystal. On Monday night the mayor of Paris confirmed it had been saved.
Individual thorns have been distributed as relics around the world – the Notre Dame relic is the original circlet or rushes, encased in rock crystal.
On Monday night, the mayor of Paris confirmed it had been saved.
The Great OrganThe Great Organ
Notre Dame’s principal organist, Vincent Dubois, has said Notre Dame’s immense, 8000-pipe grand organ was not burned in the fire, although its condition – and whether it can still be played – is not yet clear. Notre Dame’s principal organist, Vincent Dubois, has said Notre Dame’s 8,000-pipe grand organ was not burned in the fire, although its condition – and whether it can still be played – is not yet clear. Originally built in 1403, the organ has been updated and renovated in the centuries since, most recently in 2013, but some of the current organ’s pipes date back to the medieval era.
Originally built in 1403, the organ has been updated and renovated in the centuries since – most recently in 2013 – but some of the current organ’s pipes date back to the medieval era. Bertrand de Feydeau, a senior French heritage preservation official, said: “The organ is a very fragile instrument, especially its pipes. It has not burnt, but no one can tell whether it has been damaged by water. Nobody knows if it is a functioning state or will need to be restored.”
“The organ is a very fragile instrument, especially its pipes. It has not burnt, but no one can tell whether it has been damaged by water. Nobody knows if it is a functioning state or will need to be restored,” said Bertrand de Feydeau, a senior French heritage preservation official. The tunic of Saint Louis
The Tunic of Saint Louis The tunic of Saint Louis is a 13th-century linen garment said to have belonged to King Louis, the only French king to become a saint. Crowned in 1226, Louis participated in the Seventh Crusade and died during the Eighth Crusade in 1270. He was canonised in 1297. The Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, said the tunic was saved from the fire.
The tunic of Saint Louis is a 13th century linen garment said to belong to King Louis – the only French king to become a Saint.
Crowned in 1226, Louis participated in the Seventh Crusade and died during the Eighth Crusade in 1270. He was canonised in 1297. He also acquired the Crown of Thorns. Mayor Anne Hidalgo also confirmed that the tunic was saved on Monday.
True Cross and Holy NailsTrue Cross and Holy Nails
Along with the Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame housed a purported fragment of the True Cross – upon which Jesus was crucified – and an original nail that was used. These too were saved from the flames, French media reported. Along with the Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame housed a purported fragment of the True Cross, upon which Jesus is said to have been crucified, and an original nail that was used. These too were saved from the flames, French media reported.
The Rose windowsThe Rose windows
All three of Notre Dame’s immense stained glass windows appear to have survived, André Finot, a spokesman for the cathedral, said early on Tuesday morning, although experts have yet to inspect them and they may have sustained hidden damage. All three of Notre Dame’s immense stained glass windows appear to have survived, although experts have yet to inspect them and they may have sustained hidden damage.
Unknown
A large number of artworks and sculptures were taken from the cathedral and carried across the River Seine to Paris town hall, Rietser said. It is not yet clear which of the following major works are among them:
Descent from the crossDescent from the cross
One of the cathedral’s centrepieces, the sculpture by Nicolas Coustou lies on Notre Dame’s high altar. Initial photographs showed that the sculpture was mostly unharmed, but its condition has not been confirmed. One of the cathedral’s centrepieces, the sculpture by Nicolas Coustou lies on Notre Dame’s high altar. Initial photos suggest that the sculpture was mostly unharmed.
Unknown
A large number of artworks and sculptures were taken from the cathedral and carried across the River Seine to Paris town hall, Riester said. It is not yet clear which of the following major works are among them:
Madonna and ChildMadonna and Child
An iconic statue – known as Notre Dame de Paris with which the cathedral shares its name – depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Created in the 14th century, it was moved to Notre Dame in 1818. This statue, known as Notre Dame de Paris, with which the cathedral shares its name, depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Created in the 14th century, it was moved to Notre Dame in 1818.
Statue of St Denis Statue of Saint Denis
Another 18 century sculpture by Nicolas Coustou. St Denis is the patron saint of Paris, and a depiction of him preaching stood in the cathedral. Another 18-century sculpture by Nicolas Coustou. Saint Denis is the patron saint of Paris, and a depiction of him preaching stood in the cathedral.
Painting of St Thomas AquinasPainting of St Thomas Aquinas
Made in the 17th century, and given to the cathedral in 1974, this painting depicts the saint and people drinking from a fountain of wisdom. Made in the 17th century and given to the cathedral in 1974, this painting depicts the saint and people drinking from a fountain of wisdom.
DestroyedDestroyed
Three relics that were not in the cathedral’s Treasury are known to have been lost: a separate fragment of the Holy Crown of Thorns, a relic of St Denis, and another relic of St Geneviève. Three relics that were not in the cathedral’s treasury are known to have been lost: a separate fragment of the Holy Crown of Thorns, a relic of Saint Denis and a relic of Saint Geneviève.
Notre DameNotre Dame
ParisParis
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