Freiburg’s St. Nicholas is missing his crosier
Published: Monday, Dec 9th 2024, 17:40
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Freiburg's St. Nicholas has lost his crosier: the city's patron saint is now enthroned above the main entrance to the cathedral without a staff, as local media reported on Monday.
This was noticed last Saturday during the traditional St. Nicholas procession. However, insiders have known about the loss for some time: The crozier was probably stolen more than two years ago.
The Cantonal Directorate of Education and Cultural Affairs was asked if the building department had filed a complaint in September 2022. Sigrist and the canton have been in the picture since then. Other stolen items had reappeared. In the case of the staff, it was therefore decided to wait and see.
If the episcopal attribute does not reappear, St. Nicholas of Myra will be adorned with a new crosier when the portal is next cleaned - probably in spring or summer 2025.
The wooden statue has adorned the west portal of St. Nicholas Cathedral, which belongs to the canton of Fribourg, since 1767. It is unclear how the staff was stolen. The statue is not accessible without a ladder.
©Keystone/SDA
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