In an opinion piece, Stu Salkeld, editor of the St. Albert Gazette, writes:
Some people would be astounded to know how far back the tourism industry stretches. Some claim it stretches back to the 14th century in Europe, when a preponderance of holy relics appeared rather suddenly. The number and diversity were impressive: the Shroud of Turin, said to be Jesus Christ’s image on his burial shroud, which was unheard of until the relic trade began in the 1300s, the Sudarium of the Lord, a facecloth that is said to have captured Christ’s profile after he died on the cross, the Spear of Destiny, which a Roman centurion wielded as he stabbed Christ on the cross (four of these currently exist in Europe) and probably the least known, the Holy Prepuce, or Holy Foreskin.
[. . . ]
The medieval relic trade was profitable. Pilgrims from across Christendom travelled what, at the time, were rather dangerous roads to visit cities such as Turin that held artifacts said to be associated with Christ, the saints or other holy figures and while they were on the road pilgrims spent a lot of shekels, much as modern tourists do today. However, the authenticity of many relics was almost immediately called into question, even by the church itself. For example, in a 1389 letter, Bishop Pierre D’Arcis denounced the Shroud of Turin as a fraud to Clement VII.
Some claim; is that transparent bias? Can you spot the history mistakes?
Why the picture of Saturn? Read the article.
Recently, archeologists have unearthed in Spain one of the oldest representations of Christ dating back to the IV century. In this image Christ has curled hair and lacks any beard on his face. You can have a look at this curious image here
http://www.elmundo.es/ciencia/2014/10/01/542c3883268e3edd6c8b457e.html?a=5c95e3251744c118775e58fc3a814f4d&t=1412199903
Just another hack writer’s scoff piece at the sacred, done without research. No mention of Helena, nor Egeria. both 4th century pilgrims to the Holy Land. Helena in particular was unexcelled at gathering relics. No mention of occasional visits by western royal visitors to the relic collection at Constantinople. It’s worth nothing. Why reprint it?