The Notre-Dame Cathedral has come back to life again for the first time since a huge fire gutted the beloved landmark for a small Good Friday ceremony amid the coronavirus lockdown.

The cathedral is still closed to the public due to the lockdown as well as the structural instability of the burned building, but a small handful of clergymen took part in prayers, readings and music on Friday morning.

Archbishop Michel Aupetit venerated a crown of thorns that survived the blaze on 15 April 2019, which brought down the centuries-old cathedral’s roof and spire.

“We wanted to send a message of hope,” said the archbishop.

The ceremony, which was broadcast on French-language Catholic television channel KTO TV for those observing Good Friday, included readings of text by authors such as Mother Teresa, Marie-Noël, Paul Claudel and Charles Peguy.

French classical violinist Renaud Capuçon performed several pieces of music during the ceremony.

Restoration of the Notre-Dame was stopped ahead of the lockdown in France, which began on 17 March. Around 67 million people are under strict rules to stay at home and stick to social distancing guidelines.

President Emmanuel Macron promised the Notre-Dame will be rebuilt by 2024 the day after the fire scorched and destroyed huge parts of it.

On Easter Sunday, Archbishope Aupetit will hold a small mass in Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois church in Paris, located near the Louvre museum.

The Sunday mass will be attended by just 20 people, reported Reuters. Last Easter Sunday, hundreds of people gathered at the same church to pray for the Notre-Dame to be restored quickly.

Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Show all 13 1 /13 Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Statue of Saint Denis Notre Dame https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paris_-_Cath%C3%A9drale_Notre-Dame_-_Portail_de_la_Vierge_-_PA00086250_-_003.jpg Thesupermat/CC-BY-SA Thesupermat/CC-BY-SA Thesupermat/CC-BY-SA Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved "Close up of Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus statues at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Other images of the Notre Dame Cathedral:" gregobagel Getty Images/iStockphoto Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Rose windows Among the most famous architectural features of the Gothic masterpiece, the stained glass rose windows are treasured artworks. The three rose windows, which date back to the 13th century, adorn the north, south and west facades. There were hopes the windows had escaped being destroyed by the fire after firefighters stopped its spread. Photos the following morning suggested the circular window of the nave had remained intact. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Destroyed: Irreplaceable wooden roof Crowds of tourists and Parisians watched in horror as the spire and roof of Notre Dame cathedral came crashing down to the ground. EPA Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Descent from the Cross The cross and statue on Notre Dame's high altar - sculpted by Nicolas Coustou in 1723 - were believed to have survived in tact despite being surrounded by smoke and debris. Reuters Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Great Organ With nearly 8,000 pipes, some dating back to the 1700s, Notre Dame's master organ is one of the largest in the world. The monumental instrument, the largest in France, was fully restored in 2013 with each pipe cleaned. Paris' deputy mayor, Emmanuel Gregoire, said the instrument remained intact following the fire. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Bells Housed in the two western towers, Notre Dame's bells have rung out at key moments in France's history. Emmanuel, the largest bell, was lifted into the south tower in 1685 and weighs over 23 tonnes. The fire was prevented from spreading to the bell towers. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Crown of Thorns Believed to be a relic of the wreath of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ at his crucifixion, the object was stored in the cathedral's treasury. French King Louis IX brought the relic, which is contained in an elaborate gold case, to Paris in 1238. The Crown of Thorns was saved and has been taken into safekeeping. AP Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Tunic of Saint Louis The tunic allegedly worn by Saint Louis IX as he brought the Crown of Thorns to Paris was kept inside the cathedral. It has been saved. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Safe: Statues on the roof The week before the fire, religious statues set atop the cathedral were removed for the first time in over 100 years as part of the restoration project. A 100-metre-high crane lowered the copper statues representing the 12 apostles and four evangelists onto a lorry. AFP Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Destroyed: Spire Crowds of tourists and Parisians watched in horror as the spire and roof of Notre Dame cathedral came crashing down to the ground. EPA/I Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Unknown: Choir screen It is not known what happened to the detailed choir screen at Notre Dame cathedral. AFP/Getty Notre Dame fire: What was lost and what was saved Some of the artworks from Notre-Dame sheltered as the fire devastated the cathedral AFP/Getty

Around the world, churches are adapting services over Easter weekend to allow people to watch them via livestream or radio.

In St Peter’s Square, where a wooden cross was carried in a procession during an early 16th century plague is on display, Pope Francis will lead a ceremony with no audience at 6pm.