A massive power outage occurred after the Olympic opening ceremony, which featured drag queens appearing to play Jesus and his disciples, an event some observers attributed to divine providence. Friday’s opening ceremony featured a controversial scene in which drag queens stood behind tables in what some saw as a re-enactment of a Leonardo da Vinci painting. Last Supper.
The ceremony’s designer, Thomas Joly, said the scene was inspired by Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility, but the opening ceremony’s producers disputed Joly’s comments, saying: statement Jolie “draws inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting to create this production,” but “in no way does she intend to show disrespect to any religious group or belief.” Critics pointed out that the drag queen at the center of the table was wearing a silver headdress resembling a halo, which may have symbolized Jesus Christ.
The opening ceremony itself was marred by heavy rain, which some interpreted as a divine judgment: it was the first time that the opening ceremony of a Summer Olympics had been interrupted by rain since the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
“Maybe God is trying to tell you something,” one person said. I have written On X (formerly Twitter).
…..then get this
It’s raining heavily in Paris during the Olympic opening ceremony. 🤣😆🤣😆
It hasn’t rained during an Olympic ceremony since 1952.
Maybe God is trying to tell you something…. pic.twitter.com/qNuZIPUbp7
— Marion Rennie (@LadyFantastic5) July 26, 2024
Hours later, the power outage plunged much of Paris into darkness, and photos of Paris engulfed in darkness went viral on social media. While many assumed the photos were old and the posts were fake, Paris newspaper Le Parisien confirmed that there was in fact a power outage affecting around 100,000 customers in the 1st, 9th, 17th and 18th arrondissements.
General electrical signals #Paris. #JO2024 pic.twitter.com/AvzpGz6fGJ
— Nelly Efambe (@NellyEfambe1) July 27, 2024
Christian Post I got it. Many Christians on social media chalked it up to divine providence, with one viral image showing the lights of the Sacred Heart Cathedral church shining brightly despite power outages across several blocks.
“The irony of a blackout in Paris following the blasphemous and depraved opening ceremony of the Olympics is remarkable. The wickedness on display mocked the power of God and left the city powerless,” tweeted Joseph Strickland, a former Bishop of Tyler, Texas.
The irony of the blackout in Paris after the blasphemous and depraved Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games is remarkable. The wickedness displayed mocked the power of God and the city was left powerless. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus guide us with its powerful light. pic.twitter.com/zbATrUTfeT
— Bishop J. Strickland (@BishStrickland) July 28, 2024
Other Catholics agreed.
“God is in control of everything. Just 24 hours after the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, there was a power outage. The only light visible was the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Sacré-Coeur, at the top of Montmartre hill.” I have written Sister Marie-Joseph Carol of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: “From its dome, 200 metres above the Seine, one can command a commanding view over the whole of Paris and its suburbs.”
God is in control.
Just 24 hours after the start of Olympic debauchery in Paris, a power outage occurred. The only light visible was the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sacré-Coeur) at the top of Montmartre hill. From there… pic.twitter.com/R1L5AXUllK— Sister Mary Joseph Carroll, SSCJ (@sscjusa) July 28, 2024
The effects of rain were still being felt at the Summer Olympics on Tuesday, four days after the opening ceremony.
The men’s triathlon race, due to start on Tuesday, was postponed after heavy rains on Friday and Saturday left dangerously polluted water in the Seine, which authorities blamed on “uncontrollable meteorological phenomena.” NPR.
The French government has invested more than $1.5 billion in efforts to clean up the river.
“Heavy rains have overwhelmed the city’s aging sewer system, causing raw sewage to leak into the Seine and causing E. coli infection rates to soar,” NPR reports.
It’s also possible that the swimming portion of the event will be cancelled entirely, with athletes competing in a “duathlon” that involves just running and cycling.
Photo credit: ©X/sscjusa
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
