Vandals Cut Down The Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury

With a 2000 year old history, the Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury has stood as an important symbol for Christians in England — a pilgrimage point retracing the steps of Joseph of Arimathea (believed to be Jesus’ great uncle). Now it has been cut down in what some are alleging to be an anti-Christian act of vandalism. I have seen no evidence establishing an anti-Christian intent.

Now, the tree stump is covered in police tape.

Many Christians believe that Saint Joseph traveled to the location after Christ was crucified — bringing with him the Holy Grail. The legend is that Joseph stuck his wooden staff in the ground when he went to sleep on the hill and when he woke, a thorn tree had sprouted.

The tree would flower twice a year at Christmas and Easter.

When the original tree was chopped down by the Puritans in the Civil War, the cuttings were replanted and this tree was from one of those cuttings.

Experts have verified that the tree – known as the Crategus Monogyna Bi Flora – originated from the Middle East.

An arrest in the case will present an interesting question of the appropriate charge and whether it will be treated as a hate crime.

Source: Daily Mail