Imagine, if you will, a small, unassuming cloth, hidden away in a cathedral in Oviedo, Spain. This isn’t just any cloth, though. It’s the Sudarium of Oviedo, a relic believed by some to be the cloth that covered Jesus Christ’s face in the tomb. But how did this sacred artifact end up in Spain? And could there be a Maltese connection?

The Sudarium’s journey begins in the Holy Land, where it’s believed to have been used to wrap Jesus’ face after his crucifixion. Legend has it that it was taken to Edessa (now Urfa, Turkey) by King Abgar V, who was miraculously cured of leprosy after sending a cloth to Jesus to wipe his face. Centuries later, the cloth found its way to Oviedo, carried by Bishop Pelagius, who fled the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century.

Now, let’s fast forward to the 16th century. The Knights of St. John, who had made Malta their base, were actively involved in the reconquest of Spain from the Moors. Could they have played a role in the Sudarium’s journey? Some historians suggest that the Knights, being fervent protectors of Christian relics, might have facilitated the cloth’s transfer to Oviedo. After all, they had a significant presence in Spain during that time.

the Knights’ library in Valletta housed numerous manuscripts detailing the Sudarium’s history. These manuscripts, now lost, could have provided valuable insights into the cloth’s journey. Unfortunately, the Great Siege of 1565 and the subsequent fire in the library in 1799 destroyed many of these precious documents.

Today, scientists and historians are using modern technology to unravel the Sudarium’s mysteries. In 2010, a team of Spanish researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine that the cloth dates back to the 1st century AD, lending credence to its claimed origins. However, the debate continues, fueled by the cloth’s enigmatic features, such as the image of a face that appears when it’s photographed under ultraviolet light.

Back in Malta, local historian Dr. Anthony Pace believes that while a Maltese connection to the Sudarium is plausible, it remains unproven. “The Knights’ involvement in Spain during that period is well-documented,” he says, “but more research is needed to establish a concrete link to the Sudarium.”

If the Sudarium’s mystery has piqued your curiosity, you can visit it in the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo. The cloth is displayed in a glass case in the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, alongside other religious artifacts. And who knows? Perhaps you’ll find a clue that sheds light on its journey, and maybe even a Maltese connection.