Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury cut down in 'strike at heart of Christianity'
Religious fanatics are suspected of hacking down a tree at one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. ..Vandals cut the The Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury down to a stump in the early hours of Thursday and scattered its branches over the ground.
Thousands pay homage at the site each year and leave tokens of worship – but many were left in tears.
According to tradition, the tree near Glastonbury Tor sprouted from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea, who prepared the tomb for Christ after lifting him off the cross.
It blossoms at Christmas and Easter and some of its thorns adorn the Queen’s Christmas Day dinner table decoration each year.
People come to say prayers over the vandalised remains of the hawthorn tree
.Katherine Gorbing, curator of Glastonbury Abbey, said: ‘The mindless vandals who have hacked down this tree have struck at the heart of Christianity.
‘It holds a very special significance all over the world and thousands follow in the footsteps of Joseph of Arimathea, coming here especially to see it.
‘It is the most significant of all the trees planted here and can be linked back to the origins of Christianity.
‘It’s a great shock to everyone in Glastonbury - the landscape of the town has changed overnight.’
Legend has it that Jesus’s great uncle came to Britain after the crucifixion 2,000 years ago.
He thrust his hawthorn staff into Wearyall Hill, just below the Tor, and a tree took root.
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