Joseph of Arimathea plants the Glasonbury Thorn. When Joseph of Arimathea, who was evangelizing England arrived at Glastonbury, he climbed Wearyall Hill to plant the hawthorn staff which once belonged …More
Joseph of Arimathea plants the Glasonbury Thorn.

When Joseph of Arimathea, who was evangelizing England arrived at Glastonbury, he climbed Wearyall Hill to plant the hawthorn staff which once belonged to Jesus. As the staff was pushed into the fertile soil of Wearyall Hill, it is recorded that it magically took root and sprouted branches and leaves - becoming Glastonbury's famous Holy Thorn tree. Unusually, the Glastonbury Holy Thorn flowers twice yearly - it's blossoms coinciding with the great feasts of Christmas and Easter. This stained glass detail from St John's church in Glastonbury was uploaded to mourn this sad event: the vandalism of the sacred Glastonbury Thorn on 8 December 2010. Customarily on 8 December a sprig of the Holy Thorn is sent to the Queen to adorn her Christmas table.

Source: Lawrence OP on Flickr