The Shroud of Turin
I have often given a lecture entitled ”Magic Clothes of
Power”. There are many instances of
textiles that are reported to have special powers. These fabrics are not merely symbols of power, such as military
uniforms or religious vestments, but have intrinsic powers, which are derived
from special fibers, or are granted properties from “other-worldly”
sources. Folklore and literature are
sources of many tales of “clothes of power” such as special cloaks, flying
carpets and ruby red shoes. Many people
have traditions that include reverence
for textiles which, they believe, can provide protection or bring good fortune.
Last Sunday the Shroud of Turin went on exhibition in Turin,
Italy, which will run until June, 24th. As early as the 6th C there have
appreared certain images of Jesus said to be “not made with hands”. The earliest legend concerns the “Image of
Edessa”. The king of Edessa (Turkey)
wrote to Jesus asking him to come and cure him of leprosy. Unable to visit, Jesus sent a miraculous
self-portrait imbued with curative power.
Some equate the Shroud of Turin with the Edessa story, however the
Shroud bears the entire front and back impressions of an apparently crucified
man.
There has long been controversy on whether this textile is
the burial shroud of Jesus Christ or a medieval fabrication. Results of carbon-dating posited the age of
this textile to be no older than the 1200’s.
Others suggest that the actual date cannot be determined due to
contamination by centuries of manipulation.
The 14 ½ foot of linen fiber is owned by the pope but it is in the care
of the archdiocese of Turin. The Catholic Church does not make any claims
toward its authenticity and has long acknowledged that there are disagreements
and questions that have not been successfully addressed.
Despite the controversy, there have been more than a million
free tickets reserved by would-be visitors, and many dates for viewing have
already sold out.
There are other “Miraculous” portraits of Jesus, including
the Veronica Veils. Veronica was a wealthy woman of Jerusalem who witnessed
the journey to Golgatha that Christ made with the cross. She wiped his face with her veil and his
visage was imprinted upon it. There
were many ”originals” of the textile and it was assumed that they had been
painted. The legend asserts that the
image could duplicate itself miraculously
No comments:
Post a Comment