Directed at Christians or society?
'Vandals have hacked at the heart of Christianity': 2,000-year-old Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury is cut down
I feel sad for those that are profoundly affected by this. People such as me.
I feel more sad for the empty person or people that did this.
BROUGHT TO LIFE BY JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, CHOPPED DOWN BY CROMWELL'S ROUNDHEADS, REBORN THANKS TO LOCALS
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 (pictured) 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.
A sprig of holy thorns was taken from the Thorn tree by Glastonbury's St Johns Church on Wednesday and sent to the Queen.
The 100-year-old tradition will see the thorns sit on Her Majesty's dinner table on Christmas Day
I find it ironic that modern day vandals think they might justify an act such as this. An older vandal, Oliver Cromwell, believed he had reason too. I have a reason to find this interesting on many levels.
Many of my ancestors were thrown from England, exiled, by Cromwell and his Roundheads. Many lost all they owned and were sent to Barbados. From there they came to the colonies and family remaining in England that owned large parts of the Virginia Company fought a losing battle against Cromwell and other companies and lost their charter and much of their fortune.
They had the last laugh though as they prospered both financially and as individuals here in America. Cromwell's life became a caricature as he wore purple robes with ermine linings emulating those he had fought, killed and executed. After death things got worse for Ollie.
There has long been a family story about an ancestor who traveled to England in January of 1661 for business and witnessed Cromwell's body disinterred and symbolically executed. Many, including me, have a birthday of January 30 which is the anniversary of his symbolic execution.
I pray the tree is born anew.
