Crowland Abbey exhibits replica of Shroud of Turin organised by Knights Templar with permission from the Vatican

A replica of a linen burial cloth which was used to wrap the body of Jesus following his Crucifixion is on display in a church.

The copy of the original Shroud of Turin is being displayed at Crowland Abbey until Saturday with permission from the Vatican.

Brother John Michael from Gedney Hill, is a member of the Knights Templar and helped in organising the high resolute copy made 20 years ago to be brought to Lincolnshire.

Church warden David Searle said: “He approached me around six months ago about displaying it in the Abbey.

“I thought it would be a suitable thing and It has been well received so far and one or two visitors have been very moved by it

“I stood in front of it and looked at it and was very moved.”

The replica is nearly 15ft long and it is free entry to view the historical shroud.

Mr Searle said: “This is one of the best full size copies and lots of people are thrilled with it after seeing it.

“The way people are receiving it is fantastic and some have been very emotional.

“It is the next best thing.”

Following this exhibition the replica shroud will be taken out of the country and put on display somewhere in Europe.

Entry to the abbey, which was a monastery of the Benedictine Order, to see the shroud is free and any donations will go towards the upkeep of the church, founded in memory of St Guthlac early in the eighth century by Ethelbald, King of Mercia,

Mr Searle added: “It is a very old building and needs to a lot of money to keep it.”

Brother John Michael said: “The people here are wonderful and it is the truest replica of the shroud.

“A lot of people would not get the chance to go to Turin to see the original due to age and finances.

“I have witnessed people who are skeptical and can't believe it when they leave and it made the hairs on the back of my arms stand up - it had a unique thing about it.”

For further information visit https://crowlandabbey.org.uk/

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