The Holy Thorn Tree
According to legend, St. Joseph of Arimathea was said to have brought the Holy Grail, the cup used at the Last Supper, to Glastonbury. Upon reaching the Isle of Avalon, it is said, he thrust his staff into the ground on Wearyall Hill before he went to sleep. It took root and grew into the holy thorn tree, which lived on at Glastonbury as a natural shrine for European Christians.
Well, the tree lived on until today and every year the Queen had a flower from the Holy Thorn placed on her dinner table at Christmas, but in a single night of vandalism, this ancient site of pilgrimage is but a pile of splinters. The Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury was chopped down in what is a deliberate act of anti-Christianity!
From the Daily Mail:
Christian legend dictates that Jesus's great uncle, Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain after the crucifixion 2,000 years ago bearing the Holy Grail - the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. He visited Glastonbury and thrust his staff into Wearyall Hill, just below the Tor, planting a seed for the original thorn tree. Roundheads felled the tree during the English Civil War, when forces led by Oliver Cromwell waged a vicious battle against the Crown. However, locals salvaged the roots of the original tree, hiding it in secret locations around Glastonbury. It was then replanted on the hill in 1951. Other cuttings were also grown and placed around the town - including its famous Glastonbury Abbey. Experts had verified that the tree - known as the Crategus Monogyna Bi Flora - originated from the Middle East.
Well, the tree lived on until today and every year the Queen had a flower from the Holy Thorn placed on her dinner table at Christmas, but in a single night of vandalism, this ancient site of pilgrimage is but a pile of splinters. The Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury was chopped down in what is a deliberate act of anti-Christianity!
From the Daily Mail:
Christian legend dictates that Jesus's great uncle, Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain after the crucifixion 2,000 years ago bearing the Holy Grail - the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. He visited Glastonbury and thrust his staff into Wearyall Hill, just below the Tor, planting a seed for the original thorn tree. Roundheads felled the tree during the English Civil War, when forces led by Oliver Cromwell waged a vicious battle against the Crown. However, locals salvaged the roots of the original tree, hiding it in secret locations around Glastonbury. It was then replanted on the hill in 1951. Other cuttings were also grown and placed around the town - including its famous Glastonbury Abbey. Experts had verified that the tree - known as the Crategus Monogyna Bi Flora - originated from the Middle East.
Also, please check out Annie Jeffries' series, A Virgin a Day.
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