Crown of metal thorns

In addition to the historical context of Christ’s narrative, we are confronted with a somber
contemporary reality where those who dare to speak the truth face the grim prospect of arrest,
humiliation, torture, and ultimately, a tragic fate at the hands of a repressive regime. While we are
familiar with the narrative of Christ’s story, it is the ongoing suffering of the Iranian people that we
have witnessed firsthand.
“They placed a crown of thorns upon your brow, O Christ, with intent to inflict agony.
In my homeland, valiant souls spoke truth, yet they received no crowns adorned with rose blooms.
Instead, they bore crowns of unforgiving metal thorns on their heads, chains and shackles bound
their hands and feet, and injustice throttled their voices.
O Christ, they wounded us deeply, oblivious to the fact that from each wound, a rose would emerge,
taking root in the soil of our resolve.
A robust bush would grow, and this time, the blades would find their way into the oppressor’s grasp.
One day, we shall fashion a crown of flowers and place it upon our heads.
Inevitably, light shall triumph over darkness.”