The Sudarium of Oviedo: The “Other Shroud” of Jesus

National Catholic Register ^ | April 18, 2019 | Kathy Schiffer

[ebb tide]

The Sudarium of Oviedo: The “Other Shroud” of Jesus

“And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself.” (John 20:6-7)

 

What exactly are we talking about here?

The “linen wrappings”—well, that’s the shroud, what has become known as the Shroud of Turin.  But what about this “face cloth” that was rolled up in a separate place?

It was Jewish custom at the time of Jesus’ burial to first clean and cover the face, as a sign of respect and compassion for the family. Mourners would then cover the body with fragrant herbs and wrap it in a shroud, or burial cloth. When Jesus rose from the dead, it is believed, he set aside the face cloth before emerging from the tomb.

[ebb tide]

Ping

[Mercat]

We watched Shroud 2019 on YouTube Wednesday. I highly recommend it.

[SkyDancer]

I went to a three and a half day conference on the Shroud. See: http://orthochristian.com/105146.html

[21twelve]

Thanks for the heads-up on the latest shroud info! I was thinking we were a little low on the number of Shroud threads getting this close to Easter!

[21twelve]

The description of the evidence brings it home the suffering done on the cross, excerpt:

A second, overlaying stain was produced by fluids excreted from the nostrils when the body was lain horizontally.... this second set of stains is composed of one part AB-type blood and six parts oedemal fluid. This fluid proves, according to scientists, that the victim died from asphyxiation—which is the cause of death for people who are crucified.

What does this mean for the believer?

Well, as is the case with the Shroud, the Christian is not compelled to believe in the authenticity of the Sudarium of Oviedo. Its existence, though, does help to prove that the image on the Shroud which has become so familiar to us is, in fact, that of a man who died by crucifixion in the first century A.D.

It is an inspiration for prayer, and an encouragement for faith.

End excerpt.

[imardmd1]

If a cloth covered the face, why didn’t its presence leave some kind of artifact or different charater of the shroud markings in that area? Sounds like a kind of proof of non-authenticity.

[j.havenfarm]

Take a look at the article. The sudarium was a temporary covering while the body was transported just as we’d cover the face of the dead temporarily today. You wouldn’t leave what amounts to a bloody towel in place once the body was being prepared for burial

[Swordmaker]

Having studied the Shroud of Turin for over fifty years I have come to the conclusion that the Sudarium of Oviedo did not cover Jesus face at the same time as the Shroud of Turin covered His body.

The Sudarium, a typical, ordinary sweat cloth one would use to tie around one’s forehead to keep sweat from falling into one’s eyes, was used for three things in the aftermath of the crucifixion and then in the burial:

1. The Sudarium was draped over Jesus’ head after he died while he still hung on the cross while preparations were made to get him down from the cross. Significant time would be required to get permission to do this and effect the removal. In the meantime, covering the face was required by Jewish law for privacy.
2. The Sudarium was again pressed into service after Jesus’ body was placed face down after the nails were pulled from wrists/hands and feet, to keep the face and head covered, and then when the body was lifted, still in face down position, and carried to the tomb, one person held Jesus’ head with the Sudarium still in place, and the hand of one of the carrying men on Jesus’ face. We know this because there is a bloody hand print on the Sudarium.
3. The Sudarium was finally used as a binding part of the grave cloths when it was rolled from corner to corner to form a kerchief like binding to wrap around Jesus’ head to keep His mouth closed by passing the rolled Sudarium under His jaw behind His beard, behind His forelocks, up and over the crown of his head where a knot was tied. This accounts for the hair being pushed forward and the blank area at the crown. The Sudarium shown repetitive faint stain patterns caused by this tight rolling. It was this tightly rolled Sudarium "face cloth" the disciples saw rolled up apart from the other grave cloths where Jesus had pulled it off from around His head to free His bound jaw as He walked out of the tomb.

The Sudarium of Oviedo

[Swordmaker]

Shroud of Turin interest article on the Sudarium of Oviedo. — PING¡

Sudarium of Oviedo Shroud Ping!

If you want on or off the Shroud Ping List, Freepmail me.

[grey_whiskers]

(Spoiler ahead.)
He doesn’t stay dead.

Waiting for Good Friday Mass to start.

[Swordmaker]

(Spoiler ahead.)
He doesn’t stay dead.

Damn, spoiled the sequel for me. Read "God". . . Was going to read "Son of God." Now you’ve given away the ending. Tell me there’s some surprise twist to the plot. . .

[imardmd1]

Thanks

[ExGeeEye]

He’s coming back :)

[grey_whiskers]

https://twitter.com/41Strange/status/1118920326539124736