Why an Atheist Thinks the Shroud of Turin is the Real Deal

Nicholas Mesarites

In 1207, Nicholas Mesarites, not too long ago the overseer treasures in the Pharos Chapel, who will always be remembered for saying “In this place He rises again,” was in the city. He was there to eulogize his deceased brother.  Scavone describes it well:

In the midst of this speech, Nicholas conjured up for the Greeks then present in Hagia Sophia a reminiscence of the greatness of their city which his brother had served so loyally, and of the atrocities of the looting by the crusaders, which he himself had witnessed.  In this eulogy Mesarites again refers to Constantinople as possessing the burial wrappings of Jesus, and this reference has been used as evidence that the Shroud was still present in the city in 1207.

Was it? Scavone is not convinced. Nicholas Mesarites had been sidelined after Latins took control of the city, as indeed had all Greeks of status in the church. He might not know anything. It is possible that he may have believed it was still there. And, as we will see, there is other evidence, other than the words of Robert de Clari, to suggest that it indeed was not there.