Notre-Dame de Paris reopens after five years of restoration
Notre-Dame. Photo: DW
On December 7, 2024, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris reopened in Paris after a five-year extensive restoration prompted by the devastating fire in April 2019, reports Francetvinfo.
The grand reopening was attended by more than 40 heads of state and government, including the elected U.S. President Donald Trump, his associate Elon Musk, Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and others. Prominent benefactors who contributed significant funds to the cathedral’s restoration, religious figures, artists, celebrities, and other dignitaries were also invited.
The opening ceremony was broadcast by TV channels in over 20 countries and featured a film dedicated to the events following the fire, readings of Louis Aragon's poetry, and musical performances by the Capuçon brothers. Due to inclement weather, part of the program was moved inside the cathedral.
The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, symbolically knocked on the doors of Notre-Dame with his staff before opening them to the faithful. Rescuers and builders who had been involved in combating the fire and restoring the cathedral were met with standing ovations.
Earlier, the UOJ reported on the reasons behind the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris.
Read also
World Council of Churches condemns confiscation of evangelical church in Iran
Secretary General Jerry Pillay demanded the return of the St. Peter's Church complex to believers.
Poland repeals law recognizing same-sex unions concluded in the EU
The court ruled that the registration of foreign same-sex unions contradicts the article of the Constitution defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman.
The right hand of St. Basil the Great to visit Romania for the first time
The relic from Greece will be displayed in the cathedral of Alexandria to mark the 30th anniversary of the local diocese.
DESS expert tells US State Department reps about religious freedom in Ukraine
Andriy Smirnov held a meeting with staff of the US State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom.
Eight people killed in drone strike on monastery in Ethiopia
Two nuns and six priests were killed in the strike on the monastery; several more people were seriously injured.
Church commemorates St. Seraphim of Sarov
The venerable saint began his path of asceticism after a pilgrimage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and prayer before the Caves saints.