"Jesus Christ face" on church cushion

BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The "face of Christ"
in the cushion's pleats of a Roman Catholic Church was spotted by believers
Saturday, drawing thousands of people on the French Indian Ocean island of
Reunion to the church.

Traffic was jammed as thousands tried to come and
take pictures of the chair in the Cambuston district of eastern Saint-Andre, at
the Jesus-Misericordieux church. Believers and curious onlookers pulled out
cameras to take pictures of the cushion.

Tents were set up by authorities outside the church
for the extra worshipers.

A group of about 30 parishioners who had joined a
Christian ceremony ahead of the Easter holiday had been the first to notice the
particular setting of the cushion.

Priest Daniel Gavard said, "This is not a miracle,
it's a sign of God."

(Agencies)