We are celebrating the day of Saint Veronica, patron saint of photographers, and at Arcadina we want to share this special day with you

Tomorrow, 12 July, we celebrate the day of Saint Veronica, patron saint of photographers, and at Arcadina we are also celebrating. As we are passionate about the world of images, we did not want to let this special day pass without paying tribute to all the photographers who, with their talent and sensitivity, capture unique moments and inspire us every day.

To commemorate this day, we have prepared a very special article in which we tell you the origin of this holiday, who Saint Veronica was and why she is considered the patron saint of photography. In addition, we take you on a journey back in time to discover how the first photograph in history was created and how this art has evolved since then. Because beyond technique, photography is emotion, it is memory, it is a way of seeing and understanding the world. And on a day like the one we are going to commemorate tomorrow, we want to celebrate it with you and with the whole community of photographers who are part of Arcadina.

Tomorrow we celebrate the day of Saint Veronica, patron saint of photographers, and in Arcadina we join this special day.

Do you know the story of Saint Veronica, the patron saint of photographers?

Tradition has it that Saint Veronica, considered the patron saint of photographers, was the woman who, in an act of compassion and courage, offered Jesus a cloth to wipe the sweat and blood from his face as he carried the cross on his way to Calvary. According to religious legend, when the cloth was removed, a miracle occurred: Christ’s face was clearly and visibly imprinted on the cloth. This was considered a sacred image and made the cloth, known as the “vera icon” or “true image”, one of the most venerated relics in Christianity.

This act, charged with humanity and faith, and the miracle of the imprinting of Jesus’ face on the cloth, are the reasons why Veronica was recognised as the patron saint of photographers. After all, it was she who miraculously managed to capture the first “image” of Jesus, thus symbolically becoming the author of the first religious photograph.

As a curiosity, it is believed that this woman’s real name was Berenice, a name of Greek origin meaning “she who bears the victory”. Over time, she became known as Saint Veronica, a name that comes from an interpretation of the Latin “vera icon”, meaning “true image”. This term was later attributed both to the saint and to the miraculous canvas itself. Although this story is not recorded in the canonical gospels, it has been recognised by Christian tradition and forms part of popular devotion. In fact, Saint Veronica occupies a prominent place in the Stations of the Cross, being the protagonist of the sixth station, where we remember this humble and moving gesture that left an indelible mark on the history of Christianity… and of the image.

Discover the miracles of Saint Veronica, patron saint of photographers

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Saint Veronica set out on a long journey. According to tradition, she travelled to Rome and then to France, taking the precious cloth with her. Legend has it that in the 8th century AD, Emperor Tiberius was suffering from a serious illness that no doctor could cure. It was then that the relic of Saint Veronica came into the picture again: on coming into contact with the cloth, the emperor was miraculously healed. This event further reinforced the sacred fame of the cloth. However, after this episode, the relic was lost for several centuries.

It was not until the 17th century that it appeared publicly again, this time in the church of Santa Fe in Manoppello, a small Italian town some 200 kilometres from Rome. Since then, the cloth has remained there and is known as the “Holy Face”. Today, it is guarded by the Capuchin friars and is the object of veneration by thousands of the faithful and the curious who visit it every year. In fact, it is estimated that more than a million people come every year to contemplate this mysterious image.

For centuries, the cloth was also associated with St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where it was transferred to one of its chapels in ancient times. Over time, the cloth disappeared, probably stolen or moved in secret, until its reappearance in Manoppello. This enigmatic relic has been considered by many to be one of the most ancient and sacred representations of the face of Christ. In fact, it is often mentioned alongside other Christological images of great relevance, such as the Shroud of Turin, the Holy Shroud of Oviedo or the legendary Mandylion of Edessa.

At Arcadina we join in the celebration of Saint Veronica, patron saint of photographers, and we do it with you

From Arcadina we wanted to pay tribute, together with all of you, to this special day in honour of Saint Veronica, patron saint of photographers. To celebrate it, we wanted to remember and share part of the fascinating story that links this saint with what could be considered the first “photography” in history. Because beyond technique, photography is emotion, memory and legacy. And today we want to recognise your work, your unique vision and your passion for capturing unrepeatable moments.

Congratulations to all photographers on your day. Thank you for telling stories through light. With love, the Arcadina team.

 

Arcadina goes with you

Fulfil your dreams and develop your career with us. We offer you to try our web service free for 14 days. And with no commitment of permanence.

Arcadina is much more than a website, it is business solutions for photographers.

If you have any queries, our Customer Service Team is always ready to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We listen to you.