Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, with the full blessing of Bishop Richard Stephen, will be hosting the ninth authentic, and Vatican authorized, photographic copy of the Shroud of Turin. The Shroud will be available for veneration starting on October 1st, 2011, on the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God , celebrating with Vespers in Ukrainian & English at 6:00pm.
The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth bearing the image of a man who appears to have suffered physical trauma in a manner consistent with crucifixion. It is kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, northern Italy. The image on the shroud is commonly associated with Jesus Christ, his crucifixion and burial. The image on the shroud is much clearer in black-and-white negative than in its natural sepia color. The negative image was first observed in 1898, on the reverse photographic plate of amateur photographer Secondo Pia, who was allowed to photograph it while it was being exhibited in the Turin Cathedral.
A fire, possibly caused by arson, threatened the shroud on 11 April 1997. In 2002, the Holy See had the shroud restored. The cloth backing and thirty patches were removed, making it possible to photograph and scan the reverse side of the cloth, which had been hidden from view. A ghostly part-image of the body was found on the back of the shroud in 2004.
The actual shroud itself – not the photographic image that will on display in Chicago – has been on display only five times in the past century. When it last went on display in 2000, more than three million people saw it. Many more are expected to see it when it next goes on display in 2025.
The exhibit will continue through Nov. 21, the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple (Vedennia Bohorodychi) at St. Nicholas Cathedral. Viewing of the Shroud will be Mon. to Fri. from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. from 2 – 8 p.m. There will be no admission fee.