A metal pilgrim's badge to commemorate the 1933 viewing of the Holy Mantle, Trier (TRC 2020.3574).On the 4th July 2020, we published a TRC Blog about a medieval pilgrim's badge that commemorates the wearer's pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (TRC 2020.3387). It represents a fascinating story about people's lives and Christian beliefs some 500 years ago in Spain and other parts of Europe. Indeed, the story still reflects upon many people's lives to the present day.
In this blog I want to look at another, related item that has just been added to the TRC Collection in Leiden (TRC 2020.3574). It is a pilgrim's badge from Germany. It has the shape of an equal-armed Byzantine cross and is made out of metal. In the centre of the cross there is a disc with the image of a tunic and TRIER 1933 around the edge.
Trier is an ancient city in western Germany with many Roman remains. At some time it was even the residence of a Roman emperor. It is known for its cathedral, namely the Hohe Domkirche (‘High Cathedral’), which is dedicated to Saint Peter. Parts of the cathedral date back to the fourth century AD, making it the oldest church in Germany.
1959 German postage stamp, with a depiction of the Holy Mantle.As with many Catholic religious establishments it houses relics that represent particular events and people, notably saints, important to the Church. In the case of Trier High Cathedral, it has a very special relic, namely a seamless tunic that was believed by many to have been the garment (chiton) worn by Jesus Christ just before his Crucifixion (John 19:23-24). It is also known as the Seamless Robe of Jesus, the Holy Robe, the Honourable Robe and the Chiton of the Lord.
It is a linen garment that has been repaired and added to over the centuries. In particular, it was conserved with rubber in the 19th century (this would never happen nowadays!), so it is now impossible to carbon date it and to give a more accurate date to the object.
Trier, however, is not the only Cathedral that claims to have the Seamless Tunic of Christ. There are other examples, namely in the Basilique Saint-Denys, in Argenteuil, France and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, Georgia.
In 1933 there was a major pilgrim's event in Trier, and the highlight was the veneration of the tunic. This is an event that only happens occasionally. Since the 16th century, for example, it has only been displayed eighteen times, including in 1933 and 1959 - the last time was in 2012. Pilgrims who visited the Trier Cathedral and saw the Holy Robe were given a badge to commemorate their pilgrimage. The TRC in Leiden is very pleased to include an original badge in its collection.
Gillian Vogelsang, 9th August 2020.
