The Glastonbury Thorn

Like the Shroud of Turin, the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury is surrounded by sacred legend and symbolism.

Said to have been planted by Joseph of Arimathea, the owner of the tomb in which Jesus Christ's body lay from Good Friday till the third day, Easter, when He was raised from the dead, this plant has always blossomed twice a year, in the Spring and at Christmas.

The Holy Thorn is a variety of Crataegus mongyna biflora, differing from the thorns of Southern Europe which flower only once every year.

The original bush grew on the side of Wearyall Hill, just to the south of the town, but it was deemed to be an object of superstition by the Puritans and was cut down. In 1800 John Clark placed a tablet which marked the precise spot.

A cutting from the desecrated thorn was, however, planted secretly in the Abbey grounds and it is this which is now spoken of as the "Glastonbury Thorn"

It is proposed to give greater prominence in future Glastonbury Pilgrimages to the significance of the thorn in Christian imagery.

For the Thorn not only reminds us of "the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief" who died for the sins of man on Calvary on the first Good Friday; it also serves to help us remember that Christians are called upon to bear their sufferings in this world cheerfully and positively remembering the Son of God who suffered willingly "for us men and for our salvation".

St Paul, too, described one of the many sufferings which he had to endure as a thorn in the flesh. In his Second Letter to the Corinthians he says:

...there was given me a thorn in in the flesh... to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness"
2 Corinthians 12: 7--9.