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

Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.

Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling

Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.

Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral

The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.

4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra

The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.

OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna

In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.

His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit

At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.