Churches across the world are lit with Christmas light as they prepare for the midnight mass. But this time it is not going to be the same for Notre Dame de. It will instead be a silent Christmas. The iconic Church at Paris for the first time in 200 years will not host Christmas Midnight Mass as work slowly progresses to rebuild the fire-ravaged cathedral. Workers are shoring up the fragile building. The 856-year-old church has been closed to the public since a blaze tore its structure in April, 2019. A spokesperson for the cathedral confirmed the news. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Goes up in Flames, Know the History And Facts of Famous French Tourist Attraction. 

“This is the first time since the French Revolution that there will be no midnight Mass,” cathedral rector Patrick Chauvet was quoted in media reports. Andre Finot, a spokesman for the cathedral, reported the New York Times that as per Notre Dame’s record, Christmas Masses had been celebrated since at least 1803, after the cathedral was handed back to the Roman Catholic Church following French Revolution. He further said that would hold this year’s Christmas service at the Église St.-Germain l’Auxerrois, a church near the Louvre where Notre-Dame’s religious services have been relocated since the fire.

Watch Video: Notre Dame De Paris Will Not Host Midnight Mass

Notre Dame in Paris is one of the most famous landmarks in France. A major fire engulfed the medieval cathedral in April this year. The building’s spire and roof have collapsed, but the main structure, including two bell towers, survived. It was a tragedy that shook the entire world. Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the cathedral, observing the raged flames in silence. In October, 2019 Notre Dame was added to the 2020 World Monuments Watch—a biennial list of cultural heritage sites that are in immediate need of conservation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2019 09:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).