The Via Dolorosa”The Way of Sorrow”

“Via Dolorosa” by Sandi Patty

Jesus’ Journey to CrossMark 15:16-24

Matthew 27:27-37Luke 23:26-31John 19:1-24

Compare and contrast these readingsImagine you were there, what do you see, what

do you hear?

Mark 15:16-24 16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace

(that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. 17And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it

on him. 18And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ 19They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and

knelt down in homage to him. 20After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on

him. Then they led him out to crucify him.21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his

cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha

(which means the place of a skull). 23And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24And they

crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

The Via Dolorosa Way of Sorrow

Is the traditional path Jesus followed bearing His cross from Pilate’s Judgment Hall on the Antonia, to Calvary Hill/Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion.

The route winds its way from the site of the ancient Fortress of Antonia- in the courtyard of the present El Omarieh college, where Jesus was tried and condemned b Pontius Pilate – to the Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre.

Along this route are the “Fourteen Stations of the Cross.” Each station marks an event of sacred memory, with chapels for reflection, convents and monasteries of devotion, and the sacred basilica for commemoration.

Station One “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Pretorium.

(John 18:28)The Praetorium or court of law within the precinct of the

Antonia Fortress is where Jesus was brought to trial before Pontius Pilate. On one side of a beautiful

Crusader courtyard nearby stands the Church of the Condemnation.

Today Station One is the present location of a the Al-Omariya school

The Via Dolorosa weaves through Old City Jerusalem which today continues to be bustling with locals shoppers in addition to the tourists.

Station TwoJesus takes up the Cross

“Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him” (John 19:1) “Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified.”

(John 19:16)Stained glass window shows Jesus bound and

scoured

On the ceiling is a crown of thorns, in memory of the vent told of in the Gospels “ Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the

governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they

put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him.

After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. Mark 15:16-20

Outside chapel of the Flagellation is the pavement where Jesus took up the cross he was

to be crucified upon as a common criminal.

The Ecce Homo Arch is thought to be the doorway of the Antonia Fortress through which Pilate

brought Jesus before the crowds with the words “Behold this man” In John 19:5 Ecce Homo in Latin

means ‘Behold this man’

The Chapel of Ecce Homo inside the convent of the Sisters of Zion

Station ThreeJesus Falls for the first time.

Sculptures both above the door and inside the Polish chapel, recall Jesus’ first fall. Outside the church built by Polish

service men brought to Jerusalem by World War II Pilgrims often stop and read the words of Lamentations 1:16 “the

comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me”

Station FourJesus meets His Mother.

Tradition says that Mary stood by the roadside in order to see her son. Here, in this little Armenian

Catholic chapel, her grief and sadness are remembered

Franciscan poet, Fra Jacopone, wrote about this fourth station “Who could mark from

tears refraining, Christ’s dear Mother uncomplaining, in so great a sorrow bowed.”

Fifth StationSimon the Cyrene is forced to carry the Cross

“They enlisted a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the

country, to carry Jesus cross.” Mark 15:21A small chapel was built here in 1229 by the Franciscans

An old square stone, located on the right side of the chapel, has a cavity which is said to be the

imprint of Jesus hand

The Sixth StationVeronica wipes the face of Jesus.

Veronica wiped the brow of Jesus leaving an impression of His face on her veil. This has been kept in St. Peter’s in Rome since 707AD.

Tradition has it that this lady, who showed both courage and charity, is the same as the one described in Matthew 9:21 who was healed by touching

Jesus’ garment.

Seventh StationJesus falls for the Second Time

This station marks the place where Jesus passed through the Gate of Judgment, along the streets of Jerusalem.

Eighth StationJesus consoles the daughters of Jerusalem.

A Latin cross marks the 8th station of the Via Dolorosa. Carved into the stone wall by the cross is the Greek word NIKA –

which means ‘victor’. Here, know the future devastation that awaits them, Jesus consoled the women of Jerusalem.

Ninth StationJesus Falls for the third time.

Beside the door of the Coptic Patriarchate is a column marking where Jesus fell for the Third and last time. In the distance you can see the apse and roof of the Holy Sepulcher Basilica, a reminder that Jesus

collapsed within sight of the place of his crucifixion.

Stations 10-14 are actually in The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

(See separate powerpoint)