St. Veronica's Day — patroness of photography (Photographer's Day) (12/07)

The image and deeds of Saint Veronica served to be revered as the patron saint of photographers and photography. Therefore, her memory day — July 12 — is celebrated by amateurs and professionals of the photographer as Photographer’s Day.

In recent years, this holiday has been gaining popularity in Russia. For this day, enthusiasts in this industry are preparing many interesting events — family photo festivals, educational master classes from leading photographers, portfolio revues, various competitions, exhibitions, quests and much more.

Saint Veronica, whose memory is associated with the miraculous image of the suffering Savior, became one of the most popular folk saints, despite the fact that some church authorities and critical researchers spoke out against the historical authenticity of Veronica and her legend.

According to legend, Jesus Christ, betrayed and condemned to martyrdom, walked to Mount Calvary, carrying His cross to be crucified. The procession was surrounded by a crowd accompanying the Savior to the suffering of the cross. Veronica merged with the sea of people and followed Christ.

Exhausted, Jesus fell under the weight of the cross, and Veronica, taking pity on Him, ran up to Him, gave Him water and gave Him her payment, to wipe the sweat from his face. Returning home, Veronica discovered that the holy face of the Savior was imprinted on the fabric. This board of St. Veronica eventually came to Rome and became known here under the name of the Image Not Made by Hands...

During the Middle Ages, almost every church had an image of Veronica with her sudarium (sweat board). In the mysteries of the Middle Ages, Veronica also took a strong place and is still the main figure of the sixth stop of the Way of the Cross.

It is assumed that Veronica's name is distorted from the Latin vera icon («genuine image») — as Veronica's «plat» was called, distinguishing it from other images of Christ. The story of Saint Veronica first appears in the apocryphal Acts of Pilate dating back to the 4th or 5th century.

By the way, it was decided to celebrate Photographer’s Day on July 12 also because on this day in 1854 George Eastman was born — founder of the Kodak company, who took « photographs available to everyone».

It should also be noted that World Photography Day is celebrated annually in many countries on August 19. On this day in 1839, the French government, which bought the patent of the French chemist and inventor Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre on the method of obtaining a print (daguerreotype), made the discovery of the daguerre public — in other words, a wide range of ordinary people learned about the invention of the prototype photography.



Infographics – poster «July 12 — Photographer's Day»

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