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Notre Dame: Mixed reactions as altar and cross survives in heart of cathedral despite devastating fire

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Notre Dame



Photos from inside Notre Dame cathedral in Paris has shown that a hanging cross and altar remained intact, despite the devastating inferno that lasted for over 10 hours on Monday, April 15, 2019.

This came as a shock to many because the fire was fully extinguished some 15 hours after it began and ravaged the 850-year-old building’s roof which caused its spire to collapse.

As smoke rises from the rubble, the cross above the alter remains firmly in place, untouched by the fire that ripped through one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.

Fortunately, firefighters who worked through the night managed to save the cathedral’s main stone structure, including its two towers.

Images from inside the medieval Catholic cathedral show scenes of blackened walls and floors, with the burnt remains of pews piled before the altar.

However, pictures of the holy symbol in the cathedral’s nave show its bathed in light giving the impression the cross is emitting a warm glow.

Some have, however, taken to social media to express divergent views over the miraculous discovery.

Some pointed out that the cross and altar were made of materials that can withstand heat.

The Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby)  tweeted, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (John 1:5) #NotreDame

Another said  “In the midst of fire and destruction at Notre Dame, the cross still stands. That’s beautiful, that’s poetic, that’s God.”

The orange glow of flames can also be seen in between the stone vault and the wooden frame.

WuzupNaija gathered that a crowd of stunned tourists and Parisians stood by the River Seine singing Ave Maria and offered prayers.

For centuries the building has been considered the heart of Catholic life in France, a site of pilgrimage for people around the world and home to many priceless religious relics.

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