The Russian Orthodox Church does not intend to change its view of the Shroud of Turin after a group of scientists at the University of Pavia, Italy, stated that the Shroud was a fake.
“The scientists make their research and arrive at different conclusions, however, the Church is not in the position to approve or disprove anything. This is the authority of scientists who use different methods which always are limited in their capacities,” head of communication service of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Relations Priest Georgy Zavershinsky said Tuesday to Interfax-Religion.
According to him, the Church’s attitude to scientific discoveries and achievements always takes into account that “eventually, anything may change, and the research work may continue, and today’s conclusions may be challenged.”
Thus, Father Georgy noted that the attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Shroud “remained unchanged, along with its standpoint on the previous research which had proved that the Shoud of Turin is not a fake.”
Fr. Georgy favours the worshipping of the Shroud by believers. “The existence of the Shroud has led many people to God, and this is only beneficial for the Christian Church in Europe,” the priest said.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/ycbk58n
{ 1 comment }
Stan: thank you for this resource!
I believe it is a fake because of the Gospel: “And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.” (John 20:7 KJV ). The shroud has an entire image of a man, including the head, which would not be possible if the head was wrapped.
I am not dogmatic about it, because this is not an article of faith. Fr Gregory is probably right, and some have come to the truth because of investigating or knowing about the shroud. As the Russians say, “Slava Bogu” (Glory be to God)
It is more important that people fast and pray, and struggle to live as Christians, than determining if the shroud is authentic, although the science is very interesting. I think Fr Gregory’s response is very sober.
Priest Seraphim Holland, St Nicholas, McKinney
BLOG: (Come and see!) Redeeming the Time http://www.orthodox.net/redeemingthetime
PS The roof is going on our new temple this week. http://www.orthodox.net/aboutus/building-fund.html.
Comments on this entry are closed.