The Holy Shroud is probably one of the most worshipped and cherished relics of the past few centuries, so much that several replicas have been made over time, allowing Christians all over the world to see what Jesus Christ’s burial cloth looked like and to pray before it.
The Italian word for ‘shroud’ – ‘sindone’ – comes from the Ancient Greek term ‘sindòn’, which used to refer to a wide linen or Indian fabric cloth, even though its use was not in any way connected to burying rituals.
It was with Jesus Christ himself that the shroud was first associated with a funerary function. The Holy Shroud is over four metres long and one metre wide, its fabric is woven in a pattern that resembles a fish bone and, according to centuries of scientific research, it was used to wrap the lifeless body of someone who had died after being beat and tortured.
The most relevant scientific examination dates back to 1988, when the shroud was tested with Carbon-14 at the same time in Oxford, Tucson and Zurich. The experiment showed that the cloth must be at least of medieval origin, dating it approximately between 1260 and 1390 a.D. Many doubts remain about the exact date, as the Holy Shroud was damaged in a fire that consumed the Chambéry Cathedral the night between December 3rd and 4th,1532.
It is also yet to discover why the cloth carries pollens which could only be found in Palestine, or others which are exclusive to Turkey, or to the Balkan area… this could probably help to pin down the route that was followed to transport the relic over to Europe, which is new foundation for research.
Science has not yet officially stated that this cloth is the same one used to wrap Jesus Christ’s body, nor has the Church, even though in recent years both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have spoken in favour of this possibility.
We interviewed Don Andrea Vena, Parish Priest of Bibione, regarding the extraordinary event of the exhibition of a copy of the Holy Shroud in the Parish of one of the most sought-after tourist locations of the Upper Adriatic Sea.
To him and to the Parish goes the credit for bringing such a beloved symbol of the Christian faith to Bibione and to us all. This unique opportunity, together with the “Absolution of Bibione”, means so much not only to the town’s residents, but to the many devotees that gather here from all parts of Europe every summer.
Don Andrea, how did a typically tourist-based parish such as Bibione’s manage to obtain an exhibition of a copy of the Holy Shroud?
The year 2016 has seen Bibione’s own church “elevated” to jubilee church and, seen the massive participation among devotees, both Italian and from all around Europe, we asked the Apostolic Penitentiary permission to dedicate a period of time to devotees every year, bringing them an event. We were granted the “Absolution of Bibione”, from August 1st to 16th, which includes two very important dates for our followers and for our parish: the “Pardon of Assisi” on August 2nd and the solemnity of the Assumption into Heaven of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patron of Bibione, on August 15th. Expecting many devotees to gather here in the year of the Jubilee, we wondered what else we could bring to our tourists/pilgrims: that’s when we thought we might bring here a replica of the Shroud, the very same one used in Turin when the original is not exhibited. We believe that devotees from Poland, Slovakia and other Eastern Europe countries, traditionally faithful to this symbol, but also all those who are simply curious to witness such an event, will not be disappointed.
Do you have any particular ideas to fully involve the townspeople and the tourists?
To celebrate the exhibition of the Holy Shroud, Bibione’s Parish is currently organising, starting from Thursday of the Corpus Domini week, a pathway that leads from the church’s front plaza to the Holy Shroud.
After the conversation with Don Andrea, we can certainly argue that he had a great intuition, responding to the requests of many followers who wish to behold a replica of the Holy Shroud, especially those who live in Eastern Europe and have not yet had a chance to visit the exhibition in Turin.
Redazione Etgroup
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