BOCA RATON, FL - NOVEMBER 19, 2007 - A previously unknown photo of the Shroud of Turin, taken during the 1998 Exposition, has come to light.  

The Shroud, believed by millions to be the cloth that covered Jesus Christ’s crucified body when he was laid in his tomb, remains the most controversial and emotional ambiguity in history.  Since 1898, only seven individuals have received authorization to photograph it, exclusively for scientific research, and original prints remain unavailable to the general public.

Recently, a Florida collector of ancient Roman silver coins and medieval documents, Reecy Aresty, asserted that his camera miraculously took a picture of the encased artifact when he viewed it in 1998. Barrie Schwortz, who photographed the Shroud in 1978, and is one of only three authorized photographers alive today, has authenticated the photo.

While the faithful avow that the Shroud is genuine, considerable doubt resulted from carbon-14 tests in 1988 which dated the cloth to the 13th or 14th century. However, in June of 2002, technicians moved the Shroud to a secret location where it underwent a major restoration.  Swiss textile expert, Mechthild Flury-Lemberg, whose task was to renovate it, unlocked a secret never before discovered. She conclusively dated the unique stitching to the 1st century, putting to rest any doubt raised by the flawed carbon-14 testing.  Nonetheless, the controversy continues.

Aresty, who contends that his authorization came from a higher power, said, “I was compelled to learn more from the moment I first saw a picture of the man on the Shroud in the August, 1971 issue of Esquire.”  

When the 1998 Exposition was announced, he immediately made travel arrangements to Italy, and on the morning of April 24th arrived at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin.  Aresty said he was surprised to find no crowds, and only a few of the faithful praying in the pews. A class of school children stood between him and a railing, and the Shroud a few feet beyond that.

“As I approached it,” he said, “I extended my telephoto lens for a closer look, but before the viewfinder reached my eye, unexpectedly, the flash went off taking a picture of, God only knew what.”

“A week later while reviewing my photographs, I was amazed that my camera had miraculously taken a picture of the entire Shroud!”  The image has since been enhanced by state-of-the-art digital technology revealing unmistakable details, and Aresty is making one-of-a-kind prints available.

About Reecy Aresty: Reecy has been an inveterate collector all his life.  Among his prized possessions in addition to the Shroud photo: an original 1898 Secondo Pia photo of the Shroud (20x5) mounted on board, the largest collection of Trajan denarii extant, bible pages from 1300, illuminated manuscripts, antiphonals, incunabula, and the list goes on.

Interview Requests: Reecy is available for television, radio and newspaper interviews.  He welcomes the opportunity to share his unique experience and Shroud photos with your audience.

Contact:

Reecy Aresty (as in Aristotle)
Christ On The Shroud, Inc.
Media Hotline 24/7: 800.905.6567
Fax: 866.640.1346
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www.ChristOnTheShroud.com
 
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