King Charles’ Coronation Will Feature Shards From Jesus Crucifixion

Small fragments of wood believed to be from the cross on which Jesus was crucified will be incorporated into King Charles’ coronation ceremony. The two shards of the True Cross were gifted to the King by Pope Francis and have been fixed into the Cross of Wales, a silver cross made by silversmith Michael Lloyd.

The cross will be carried into Westminster Abbey next month as part of the May 6 procession, and it will bear the words of St. David, the patron saint of Wales, inscribed in Welsh.

The gift of the True Cross fragments to King Charles is significant in its historical and religious context. The True Cross is believed to be the actual cross on which Jesus was crucified, and fragments of it have been venerated by Christians for centuries.

The gift also demonstrates the close relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, which is significant as the two churches have had a complicated history.

The incorporation of the True Cross fragments into the coronation ceremony is also significant as the coronation is a deeply symbolic event that celebrates the monarch’s divine right to rule. The use of the True Cross fragments emphasizes the monarch’s connection to Christian tradition and reinforces the idea that the monarch is divinely ordained.

The Cross of Wales is a beautiful and symbolic gift from King Charles to the Church in Wales. Its use of Welsh slate, reclaimed wood, and silver from the Royal Mint in Llantrisant speaks to the church’s heritage, resources, and commitment to sustainability. The inscription in Welsh, “Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things,” is a reminder to the faithful to live their lives in accordance with Christian principles.

The Church in Wales and the Catholic Church have both expressed their appreciation for the gift of the Cross of Wales and the True Cross fragments. Archbishop Andrew John of the Church in Wales said that the cross was “both beautiful and symbolic” and that its first use would be to guide the King and Queen into Westminster Abbey for the coronation ceremony. Roman Catholic Archbishop Mark O’Toole expressed his joy at the gift and said that it would encourage all Christians to model their lives on the love given by Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, the incorporation of the True Cross fragments into King Charles’ coronation ceremony and the gift of the Cross of Wales to the Church in Wales are significant events that reinforce the monarch’s connection to Christian tradition and celebrate the deep roots of Christianity in Wales and the United Kingdom. The gift also demonstrates the close relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England and is a reminder of the importance of interfaith dialogue and cooperation.