For the first time since a fire nearly burned down the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral in France, the church hosted its traditional Christmas Eve choral concert.
The event was pre-filmed inside the empty church, which is still being rebuilt, and broadcast on French television just before midnight on Thursday (December 24).
Because the church is still a construction site, members of the choir wore hard hats and boiler suits as they sang Christmas classics, including Silent Night, The Hymn of the Angels, and Jingle Bells. They also performed a few classical pieces by Mozart and Schubert during the 30-minute concert.
"It was very moving," said cellist Gautier Capucon. "It was the first time we had all been back at Notre Dame cathedral since the fire, so it was a moment full of emotion."
Members of the public are not allowed inside the church and will unlikely be allowed to return until at least 2024. The April 2019 fire destroyed the church's iconic spire and caused the lead roof to cave in. Earlier in the month, workers finally managed to stabilize the site, allowing them to begin the long and arduous process of rebuilding the cathedral.
Paris Archbishop Monsignor Michel Aupetit hosted Christmas Eve services in Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois Church.
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