Cross STILL STANDING in Ruins of Notre Dame

As the world remains stunned by the fire that engulfed France’s Notre Dame Monday, the symbol for what the church stands for remains standing tall.

The cathedral is thankfully still intact, including many of the wooden pews, according to images taken by many news sources and shared on social media.

‘Quite the picture of hope’

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While it is a miraculous sight, this is not to say there hasn’t been extensive damage to the historic church.

“Still, a massive hole can be seen in the 850-year-old cathedral’s roof. The pictures also show smoke emanating from the chancel, the area around the altar,” reports the New York Post. “Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told Le Monde there was ‘a big hole in the roof.”

But she also added, “The altar and its cross are preserved. It’s not as bad as I feared.”

Some noted that the cross seemed to be glowing or commented on how majestic it appeared surviving such a tragedy.

That this would happen to the nine-century old Notre Dame is an unconscionable tragedy. That it would happen at the beginning of Holy Week makes it all the worse.

But is there a better symbol of what the church stands for than the cross? Is there a more inspirational sight for the Christian faithful than this cross still persevering under the worst of circumstances?

CBS Evening News reports:

“Among the relics inside Notre Dame Cathedral: ‘Pieces of the cross they believe that Jesus was crucified on, as well as part of the thorned crown that he had, as well as one of the nails from the crucifixion; their status is unknown right now.”

The Vatican expressed “great shock and sadness” about the fire, and said Notre Dame is “a symbol of Christianity in France and in the world.”

Indeed. It is heartbreaking that so much was lost on Monday, for Christians, France, and the world.

But the cross still stands, both physically and as an inspiration to all.