Station 6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
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| SIXTH STATION - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus |
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.
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| Station 6 |
A small Greek Catholic chapel is located at this station. It is named "The Holy Face", since Veronica wiped Jesus face with a silk veil. The front door, located on the left is usually closed. Behind the right blue door is a little shop of the Little Sisters of Jesus, who sell icons.
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| The Holy Face chapel |
After entering the right door, and turning left, you stand at the end of a long chamber, as seen below. The interior of the Holy Face chapel is a small cave-like chamber.
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| The interior of the Holy Face chapel |
Station 7: Jesus falls the second time
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| SEVENTH STATION - Jesus falls the second time |
The 7th station, according to the tradition, marks the place where Jesus passed through the Gate of Judgment, along the streets of Jerusalem. This street in one of the busiest in the old city, as it may have been during Jesus times. It was an intersection of the Cardo Maximus and a transverse street of the Roman Aelia-Capitolina, and in modern days an intersection of Via Dolorosa with Khan es-Zeit (the Oil Market).
The way up hill and the pressure of the city had its toll: Jesus falls here for the second time under the weight of the cross.
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| Station 7 |
Behind the doors is a small chapel, with stairs leading to the second level (which is closed to the public). The Franciscans took possession of the chapel in 1875. The framed picture shows the scene of Jesus falling under the weight of the cross.
Station 8: Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem
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| EIGHTH STATION - Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem |
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".
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| Station 8 |
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A
stone with a monogram, embedded into the wall,
marks the station ("IC-XC
NI-KA", means: Jesus Christ conquers).
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The Via Dolorosa procession on Friday afternoon is seen in the photo
below stopping at station 8.
A German hospice (with the sign of the red star)
is located near the station, and is seen in the background. |
Station 9: Jesus falls the third time
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| NINTH STATION - Jesus falls the third time |
Further up the hill and close to the place of crucifixion, Golgotha, Jesus falls the 3rd time. The 9th station is adjacent to the Holy Sepulcher - the tomb of Jesus. On the way to the station the road winds around the Coptic patriarchate building, through a narrow alley. The photo below shows the east side of the Holy Sepulcher at Golgotha, which is seen in the far background.
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| Station 9 |
Pilgrims that follow the path of Via dolorosa are seen below, reading verses and singing while holding a wooden cross.
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The alley leads to the station, which is located
on the north-eastern wall of the Holy Sepulcher. |
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| Near station 9 is a small Coptic Orthodox church of St. Helen |
Station 10: Jesus is stripped of His garments
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| TENTH STATION - Jesus is stripped of His garments |
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".
Station 10 is located at the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, 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.
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Station 10
A closer view of the Chapel of the Franks at Station 10 is seen below. |
The interior of the small chapel is seen below. The wall on its left side is the location of station 11 inside the Holy Sepulcher.
Click below to:
