The centuries-old heated discussions about authenticity of the Shroud of Turin seem to be over. A recent study on the Shroud says that the holy cloth is genuine while the origin of the image on it is supernatural.
The Shroud is the 4-meter linen burial cloth of Jesus Christ. For a long time it was held in a Constantinople church, then Crusaders brought it to France in the Middle Ages. Later it was moved to Italy where it is being kept in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The Vatican hasn’t acknowledged its authenticity because of the fierce controversies but the Holy See still reveres the Shroud.
The latest experiment lasted for 5 years and comprised complex experiments and tests. A member of the Vatican research group, art expert Ekaterina Sinitsyna-Santoni told the VoR more details.
"Scientists have revealed that the Shroud can be dated back to the 1st century A.D., therefore, it was not a medieval forgery. It is made of linen. The experiment also found no pigment on the image which means that it’s not man-made. We found organic fragments on the Shroud, namely blood. The image itself was created by light not by laser. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ’s body was wrapped in the shroud for 40 hours and the experiment proved this. The head of the research group, says that the shroud is 95% genuine."
The test has also confirmed the fact of the miraculous Resurrection.
"In line with Jewish tradition a dead body is washed 7 times but Jesus was only anointed with oils. If his body had really stayed 36-40 hours in oil, blood and linen the cloth would have stuck to it and a lot of traces would have been left if the cloth had been removed mechanically. But no traces were found as if the body had evapourated. The image on the cloth was created by some supernatural flash of light as it didn’t come from the sun."
The Shroud also shows how cruel the Crucifixion was – prior to it Jesus was flagellated, which is said in all the Gospels. There were two executioners with whips with small pieces of metal at the tips commonly used by the Roman army. Christ received at least 40 strokes and all his bruises are seen on the cloth. Before the Crucifixion, soldiers put a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head which some scientists consider as a humiliation but it was a torture, as the thorns wounded his head and blood steamed down his hair and body. This is also seen on the shroud
Russia’s Orthodox Church also reveres the Shroud and considers that only skeptics need proof of its authenticity, believes spokesman for the Synod External Affairs Department Georgy Roshchin
"Faith comes from the heart while the proof of miracles helps to convert those who haven’t gained faith yet. Throughout the history, scientists found much proof of different miracles which confirm Apostle Paul’s words that God's hand can be seen in all things around us. Proof is needed to strengthen the faith of those who haven’t come to it spiritually."
Scientists will continue their analyzing the Shroud but the Vatican is already happy with the results, and may soon officially announce its authenticity.
Members of the Catholic Church think that this will convert more people into faith.
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