The secrets surrounding the Holy Shroud

Rome Reports ^ | April 3, 2010

[NYer]

April 3, 2010. Turin will play host to the Holy Shroud between April 10th and May 23rd. More than one million people have made reservations to visit. More than 4 thousand volunteers are helping with artistic exhibitions, movies and informative panels.

The origin and the authenticity of the Holy Shroud are still big mysteries. Mysteries that scientists, physicist, biologists and archaeologists have still not been able to solve.

Andrea Tornielli
Author, ‘Sindone, inchiesta sul mistero’
“Science will continue to study the Holy Shroud because there’s new technology like high-definition photography that can perhaps help reveal new information.”

Emanuela Marinelli
Holy Shroud Expert
“If the DNA of the blood on the Holy Shroud is the same as the one found on the cloth in Oviedo, that would be a big revelation. That’s why I believe we need to keep investigating.”

But, there are some facts that point to the authenticity of the Holy Shroud. For example, this type of cloth was used by wealthy people because their bodies were laid to rest in mass graves. According to the Gospel, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, is the person who gave Jesus’ body a proper burial.

Traces of aloe, myrrh and 70 types of pollen have also been found on the linen. Three-quarters of these plants grow exclusively in the Middle East near Jerusalem.

According to the drops of blood, the contact between the body and the cloth lasted for 36 hours, the amount of time according to the Gospel between Jesus’ death and resurrection.

That’s why perhaps the most significant aspect of the linen is that it helps explains Jesus’ crucifixion.

Andrea Tornielli
Author, ‘Sindone, inchiesta sul mistero’
“The large amount of bilirubin in blood indicates that he had a violent death, that he sweated blood just as it’s described in the Gospels, and that his suffering is indescribable.”

Emanuela Marinelli
Holy Shroud Expert
“According to the Holy Shroud, he suffered 120  lashes with the call flagrum, which had three strings, and each one had two pieces of sharpened bone, which tore skin. Therefore, every blow would cause six injuries. 120 lashes equals 720 wounds.”

Jesus had a wooden plank attached from his hand to his foot, as he walked to the place he was crucified.  The remains of dirt found on the cloth near his nose and his knees would be confirm that he fell to the ground several times.

According to scientists it’s very likely he died from a heart attack. That’s why some say he shouted on the cross before he died and water and blood flowed out after a soldier pierced his side with a spear. Details supported by evidence taken from the Shroud.

Authentic or not, the shroud helps to better understand the last moments of Jesus' life and that’s why Pope Benedict XVI will visit the shroud May 2nd.

[donmeaker]

I was thinking more “contradicted” but I see your point.

[Swordmaker]

I was thinking more “contradicted” but I see your point.

Contradicted is not used in scientific terminology in this way... it has a less specific meaning. Falsified is very specific.