Timeline of the Shroud of Turin's History:

This timeline details the main events related to the Shroud of Turin, drawing from the provided sources. It primarily focuses on the period before 1355 AD, with key European events included thereafter.

I. Early History and Apostolic Period (ca. 33 AD – 68 AD)

• ca. 33 AD: The crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus of Nazareth. All canonical Gospels report Jesus' body being wrapped in a linen cloth and buried.
• 33 – 68 AD (Apostolic Period): Rapid spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, aided by Caesar's decrees granting Judaism (and thus early Christianity) the status of a "Religio Licita." The "Discipline of the Secret" was adopted by early Christian leaders to protect sacred knowledge, including potentially image-bearing relics like the Shroud.
• ca. 35 AD: Peter likely first went to Antioch to support the founding of the church there.
• ca. 40 AD: The Gospel of the Hebrews, possibly predating Matthew, explicitly records the preservation of Jesus' burial shroud (sindon), suggesting it was confided to a "servant of the priest," which some interpret as Peter. Christian missionaries in Antioch shift focus to Gentiles.
• 42 AD: Herod Agrippa imprisons Peter, who miraculously escapes Jerusalem and travels to "another place," possibly Rome.
• 44 AD: Herod Agrippa dies.
• ca. 49-50 AD: Peter is recorded to be back in Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Council.
• ca. 54-55 AD: Paul's letter to the Galatians is written, possibly referring to Peter's use of the Shroud during missionary work in Galatia, where Jesus Christ was "publicly portrayed as crucified." Peter leaves Antioch for his second journey to Rome.
• ca. 55 – 64/68 AD: Peter evangelizes in Rome and Italy.
• ca. 64-68 AD: Peter is martyred by Roman Emperor Nero. If Peter had custody of the Shroud, it may have been left with the church in Antioch or entrusted to James the Just in Jerusalem.
• 68 AD: An "image of our Lord and Savior at full length" is taken from Jerusalem and moved to Syria, possibly Antioch, two years before Titus and Vespasian sacked Jerusalem.

II. Pre-Constantine Era (70 AD – 306 AD)

• 70 AD: Final Roman siege of Jerusalem led by Titus; the city and Second Jewish Temple are destroyed. Antioch becomes a prime destination for Christian refugees.
• 100-115 AD: Persecution in Antioch, including the martyrdom of Bishop Ignatius.
• 135 AD: Roman Emperor Hadrian refounds Jerusalem as a pagan city, Aelia Capitolina, and desecrates Christian holy sites, including building a pagan temple over Jesus' tomb and crucifixion site.
• ca. 190 AD: King Abgar VIII (the Great) of Edessa converts to Christianity. It is hypothesized that Avircius Marcellus brought a full-body image of Jesus (the Shroud) from Antioch to Edessa to support this conversion.