Via Dolorosa
Via Dolorosa ("Way of Grief" in Latin) is a road in the old city of Jerusalem, a path where Jesus was lead in agony, carrying the crucifixion cross. There are a total of 14 stations along this path.
Luke 23, 26: "And as they led him away..."
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Overview:
Via Dolorosa ("Way of Grief" in Latin) is a road in the old city of Jerusalem, a path where Jesus was lead in agony, carrying the crucifixion cross. There are a total of 14 stations along this path where events occurred on the way to the Golgotha hill, located at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There are 8 stations along the road itself and 6 additional stations in the compound of the church.
Location:
Via Dolorosa is located within the old city of Jerusalem. It starts from the place where he was tried and convicted - near the Lions gate on the eastern side (Muslim quarter). It ends in the crucifixion place, Golgotha, where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is located in the west side of the old city (Christian quarter).
The path is shown (in a bright blue line) on the model of the Byzantine city (displayed at St Peter Gallicantu church).
Photos:
Only part of the stations are included in the photo gallery. The other stations will be added in the future.
Station 5:
This station is located at the junction of Via Dolorosa road and El-Wad ("The Gai") road. A small Franciscan church is located at this station, dedicated to Simon the Cyrenian, who assisted Jesus with the cross. This is based on Luke 23, 26: "And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus".
Note that Cyrenia is located in modern Lybia.
Click on the photos to view in higher resolution...
This small house was established in 1229 and was the Franciscan's first site in Jerusalem.
An old stone, located on the right side, has a cavity which is said to be the imprint of Jesus hand.
Station 6:
Station 6 is further west up the hill, and is dedicated to the woman (St. Veronica) who wiped Jesus face. This is based on Luke 23, 27: "And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him".
Her name, Veronica, may have been based on the Latin
words "Vera"+"Icon", or "true image" - the face of Jesus on the woman's
handkerchief.
A small church ("The Holy Face") is located at this station. On the old stone pillar is an inscription with the station's name.
Station 8:
Station 8 is located closest to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and is dedicated by the Greek Orthodox to Saint Charalampos; their monastery is located behind the wall. The station is based on Luke 23, 27: "But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children".
A stone with a monogram, embedded into the wall, marks the station ("IC-XC NI-KA", means: Jesus Christ conquers).
Station 10:
Station 10 is located at the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the room called the Chapel of the Franks. It is seen in the photo below on the right side, with stairs that lead to the small chapel. At this station Jesus was stripped off his clothes, as in Mark 15,24: "And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take".
Links:
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Mary's Tomb<---previous Jerusalem site--<<< All Sites >>>--->Church of Holy Sepulchre