The letter from Raouf Ayas and PierreChamas (The duty, August 4) underlines what the cross on Mount Royal means for them, Christians from the Middle East, a hotbed of religious tension if ever there was one. It is good to remember the often misunderstood origin of this cross.
The year is 1642. The native tribes have not had a permanent camp on the island for many years, although they come there in certain seasons to trade.
On the evening of December 24, not far from present-day Pointe-à-Callière, the modest wooden post of Ville-Marie risked flooding. According to the writings of the time, the water of the river rises, rises dangerously, to the point of threatening the establishment.
While the inhabitants of the fort pray to Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the saints of paradise, Monsieur de Maisonneuve goes out and goes to plant a small cross a few yards from the gates. He swore to build a bigger one on Mount Royal, if the post was spared the waters. These retreat and the fort is saved. God be praised!
From the day after Christmas, a chore gets under way to build a large cross with tree trunks. On the day of the epiphany, January 6, 1643, in procession, the inhabitants of Ville-Marie will plant the cross on Mount Royal.
Destroyed by the elements over the years, it is rebuilt. Since 1924, the illuminated metal cross has been one of the main symbols of Montreal. It reminds Montrealers of the origin of their city. You don’t have to be Christian or white to respect that.
No offense to the revisionists, the selective erasing of the past does nothing to help reconciliation.