As a new study has suggested that the famous Shroud of Turin may not be a medieval forgery, renewed attention has fallen on other relics of Jesus’ clothing, including one that could “prove” the Shroud story.
This week, many have highlighted the connections between the Shroud and the Shroud of Oviedo, a relic kept in a Spanish cathedral, which scientists have shown “matches” the face on the Shroud.
A new analysis by researchers in France and Italy has revisited a landmark 1988 UK study of the Shroud of Turin, which found the shroud was a medieval forgery and not the cloth in which Jesus was buried, suggesting the result is not definitive.
Tristan Casabianca, an independent French researcher who made the discovery, told DailyMail.com that his findings do not confirm that the shroud is older or that the cloth used to bury Jesus is older.
But could other relics, including the Shroud of Oviedo, offer evidence of Jesus’ life and death, or even prove that the Shroud of Turin is real?
Could other relics, including the Shroud of Oviedo, offer evidence of Jesus’ life and death, or even prove that the Shroud of Turin is real?
Shroud of Oviedo
The Oviedo Shroud has been described as ‘the Turin Shroud 2′ and some have claimed that markings on the cloth (said to have been wrapped around Jesus’ head when he died) suggest it was used in conjunction with the Turin Shroud.
This week, social media has been highlighting that it “matches perfectly” with the Shroud, and may even prove its authenticity.
A shroud is a sweat cloth believed to have been placed over Jesus’ face.
![It is said that an ancient cloth handkerchief called the 'Shroud of Turin 2' was used over Jesus' head during his burial. 7 The Shroud is preserved in a cathedral in Oviedo (Alamy)](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725301288_95_It-is-said-that-an-ancient-cloth-handkerchief-called-the.jpg.webp)
The Shroud is preserved in a cathedral in Oviedo (Alamy)
The shroud is kept in the Cathedral of Oviedo: unlike the Holy Shroud of Turin, it does not have a clear face, but rather distinctive marks.
In John chapter 20, verses six and seven, the Bible says: ‘Simon Peter also came after him, entered the tomb, and saw the linen cloth lying on the ground, and the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloth but rolled up in a place by itself.
The history of the cloth was documented by a 12th-century bishop, who claimed that it was in Palestine until 614 AD, when it was taken from Jerusalem and given to the Bishop of Seville.
![It is said that an ancient cloth handkerchief called the 'Shroud of Turin 2' was used over Jesus' head during his burial. 9 The shroud is found in the Holy Ark, an elaborate reliquary](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725301291_381_It-is-said-that-an-ancient-cloth-handkerchief-called-the.jpg.webp)
The shroud is found in the Holy Ark, an elaborate reliquary
The Shroud presents several details that suggest that it may have covered the same face as the Shroud of Turin.
Although no face is visible on the Shroud, the stains offer clues about the person whose face it covered, who appears to have died in a position consistent with crucifixion.
The blood group is the same (AB) and the length of the nose of the person whose face was covered by the Shroud is the same as that of the Holy Shroud of Turin.
In 1984, Dr. Alan Whanger of Duke University used a polarized superposition technique to compare the two.
Whanger said: “We have found about 130 points of congruence between the shroud and the cloth covering the face. We believe this is strong evidence that both were in contact with the same person.”
The Shroud is known to date back at least to the 9th century, but there are also earlier references.
Radiocarbon dating suggested an origin around 700 AD, but researcher Cesar Barta suggested that this could be due to contamination with oils, as there are references to its presence in Jerusalem as early as 570 AD.
The image of Edessa
Other icons showing the face of Jesus were supposedly not made by hand, but miraculously printed.
But could one of them actually have been the Shroud of Turin, showing where it was in previous centuries?
![It is said that an ancient cloth handkerchief called the 'Shroud of Turin 2' was used over Jesus' head during his burial. 11 The Mandylion of Edessa from the Pope's private chapel in the Vatican](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725301297_286_It-is-said-that-an-ancient-cloth-handkerchief-called-the.jpg.webp)
The Mandylion of Edessa from the Pope’s private chapel in the Vatican
Author Ian Wilson has suggested that the Edessa image, also known as the Mandylion and first mentioned in the 4th century, may actually have been the shroud folded four times.
The image of Edessa supposedly dates back to an ancient king, King Abgar of Edessa, who requested Jesus to cure him of an illness.
Jesus refused, but they sent him a letter that was supposedly from Jesus and they painted or “made God” an image.
Some have argued that the image venerated as the Image of Edessa was in fact the Shroud of Turin.
The Holy Shelter
In John 19:24, the Bible says that the soldiers at Jesus’ crucifixion ‘said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.”‘
Several churches across Europe claim to have the Holy Tunic (or seamless tunic) or parts of it.
![It is said that an ancient cloth handkerchief called the 'Shroud of Turin 2' was used over Jesus' head during his burial. 13 The collarless collar of Jesus' seamless robe](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725301302_203_It-is-said-that-an-ancient-cloth-handkerchief-called-the.jpg.webp)
The collarless collar of Jesus’ seamless robe
In Argenteuil, France, the church contains pieces of the tunic that was supposedly given to the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne in 800.
The tunic was preserved until the French Revolution, when a parish priest cut it into smaller pieces for fear it might be destroyed.
Veil of Veronica
The Veil of Veronica is displayed in Vatican City during Lent: believers claim it bears the image of Jesus’ face after a woman named Veronica wiped his face with a cloth.
![It is said that an ancient cloth handkerchief called the 'Shroud of Turin 2' was used over Jesus' head during his burial. 15 Believers claim that it bears the image of Jesus' face after a woman named Veronica wiped his face with a cloth.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725301309_813_It-is-said-that-an-ancient-cloth-handkerchief-called-the.jpg.webp)
Believers claim that it bears the image of Jesus’ face after a woman named Veronica wiped his face with a cloth.
Protected by the Vatican, it dates back to the 14th century and Pope Innocent II composed a prayer in its honour in 1207, but a “Veronica chapel” already existed during the reign of Pope John VII in 705-708.
The image is supposed to show a bearded face, but during Lent only the frame is visible.