The Holy Shroud of Besançon
Relic of the Passion
A major relic brought from Constantinople in 1204, the Holy Shroud of Besançon bore the imprint of Christ's body. Venerated for its miracles against the plague and preserved from fires, it was transferred to Saint-Jean Cathedral before being sent to Paris during the French Revolution in 1794.
Guided reading
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THE HOLY SHROUD OF BESANÇON.
Origins and arrival in Besançon
The Holy Shroud was brought back from Constantinople in 1204 by Othon de la Roche, then gifted to the Archbishop of Besançon in 1206.
According to the most probable opinio n, the Holy Saint Suaire Shroud that wrapped the body of Christ, a central object of devotion in Besançon. Shroud was brought from the East to Besançon after the capture of Constantinople in 1204.
Othon de la Roche, a Burgundian lord, having distinguished himself in this expedition, obtained, as the ancient chronicles say, one of the most beautiful relics of Constantinople as his reward. Othon sent it to his father, Ponce de la Roche, lord of Saint-Hippolyte, who gave it, in 1206, to Amédée de Tramelay, Archbishop of Besançon. This relic was none other than the Holy Shro Saint Suaire de Besançon Shroud that wrapped the body of Christ, a central object of devotion in Besançon. ud of Besançon.
Description of the relic
The relic consists of two linen cloths showing the pale yellow imprint of the body of Christ, with precise details regarding its dimensions and appearance.
It was composed of two cloths sewn together very delicately. The authors who saw and touched it tell us that it was made of terrestrial linen, common and soft like that of Egypt and worked like the small Venice, but of a workmanship so ancient that it had been unknown and unused for a long time. It was eight feet long and four wide.
The body of Jesus Christ, says Dunod, was painted on it in a pale yellow, equally imprinted on both sides, without any perceptible difference, having both hands crossed one over the other, so that one could distinctly see the places of each hand as well as that of the side. The head of Christ bore a beard and long hair, and the imprint of the body, from the heels to the top of the head, was in all five geometric feet and nine inches.
Cult and miraculous protection
Venerated at the church of Saint-Étienne, the relic survived a fire in 1349 and was successfully invoked against the plague in 1344 and 1668.
This venerated relic was deposited in the c hurch of Saint-Étienne. église de Saint-Étienne First place of deposit for the Holy Shroud in Besançon. The Holy Shroud was shown twice a year, on Easter Day and on Ascension Day, and countless multitudes came each time to venerate it. It was miraculously preserved in the fire that devoured the church of Saint-Étienne in the month of March 1349.
In 1344, the plague ravaged the city of Besançon. The inhabitants then vowed an annual feast and procession to the Holy Shroud, and the plague ceased immediately. In 1668, a new plague was warded off once again by devotion to the Holy Shroud.
Transfers and Revolutionary Disappearance
Moved to Saint-Jean Cathedral under Louis XIV, the Shroud was sent to Paris during the Revolution to be turned into lint.
The Holy Shroud, wrapped in crimson satin, was kept in a small vermeil chest, adorned with precious stones. This precious relic was kept in the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne until the time when, by order of Louis XIV, Vauba n had the Louis XIV King of France during the ministry of Olier. c hurch Vauban Military engineer who built the citadel of Besançon. demolished to build the citadel (1674). Then the Holy Shroud was solemnly brought to Saint-Jean. It remained there until the French Revolution.
On May 25, 1794, one could read in a periodical of the time, the Journal de Paris: "The Convention has ordered th at lint be Convention Legislative assembly that ordered the destruction of the relic in 1794. made from a cloth formerly called the Holy Shroud, which the administrators of Besançon have sent to Paris."
Uncertainties regarding its final fate
The final fate of the relic remains uncertain after 1794, although some suppose its clandestine survival.
Was this order executed or not? The Moniteur and other newspapers of the time remain completely silent in this regard, and, since that time, there is no mention of the Holy Shroud anywhere. It is supposed with some likelihood that the orders of the Convention were not carried out, and that this relic venerated by our fathers still exists. The wooden casket that held the vermeil box containing this precious linen is preserved at the Archbishopric of Besançon.
Excerpt from the Life of the Saints of Franche-Comté.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Sack of Constantinople in 1204
- Donation to the Archbishop of Besançon in 1206
- Cessation of the plague in Besançon in 1344
- Miraculous preservation during the fire of Saint-Étienne church in 1349
- Transfer to Saint-Jean church in 1674
- Sent to Paris by the administrators of Besançon in 1794
Miracles
- Immediate cessation of the plague in 1344
- Protection against the plague in 1668
- Miraculous preservation during the fire of 1349
Quotes
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The Convention ordered that lint be made from a cloth formerly called the Holy Shroud
Journal de Paris, May 25, 1794