“Shroud of Turin” and “Blood of Saint Januarius”: Two Relics Compared
Giovanni Fazio, Francesca Riotto
In this paper, we aim to compare the investigations of Blood found on the Shroud of Turin and the Blood
of Saint Januarius. Analysis of the first relic reveals the presence of whole blood with bile pigments. In
fact, fibrils covered in blood and serum albumin were also extracted from the burial linen. For the latter
relic, the situation remains uncertain, as the Roman Catholic Church does not allow sampling. This is
puzzling, given that the blood of Jesus, which is present on the Shroud, has already been investigated.
Why should it not be possible to investigate the blood of Saint Januarius? Only the Ecclesiastical
Authorities can provide an answer. We hope it will be the right one.
