A full-sized replica of the world-famous Shroud of Turin is coming to Walthamstow as part of an exhibition. It will be on display at St Michael and All Angels Church, Northcote Road, E17 6PQ from Monday 24 February until Sunday 9 March, outside service times, from 12.00 mid-day to 5.00 p.m. daily.
The actual Shroud has been housed in the cathedral of the Italian city of Turin since 1578. The 15-foot replica image is a photograph printed on to cotton by an American photographer, Barrie Schwortz, who was the official photographer at the STuRP (Shroud of Turin Research Project) examination of the Shroud in 1978. The exhibition has travelled to venues such as Westminster Cathedral, Derby Cathedral and All Saints Notting Hill but this is the first time it has come to east London.
The image on the Shroud is believed by many to be that of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion. In 2011 scientists recreated a small section of the cloth and with the aid of ultra-violet lasers an image was produced on it. The scientists concluded that 'some form of electromagnetic energy (such as a flash of light at short wavelength)' created the image on the Shroud of Turin. This finding shows that the image cannot be a medieval forgery, given that laser technology was not available in the medieval era, but rather opens the possibility that the Shroud is actually Jesus’ burial cloth, the image being created at the point of resurrection. Latest research on the cloth itself has shown that it is contemporary with the events described in the New Testament.
The exhibition includes original Roman nails, a replica whip and a spear, and there are information boards about art, history and the latest research on the Shroud. All are welcome to come and see the exhibition and make up their own minds about the Shroud of Turin.