Page - 8

The Via Dolorosa ("Way of Grief")

Sunday, ‎December ‎22, ‎2013

Continued ....

Second Day of my Holy Land Trip, Palestine, Jerusalem

My Holy Land Trip

The Via Dolorosa ("Way of Grief")



Station 11:  Jesus is nailed to the cross

ELEVENTH STATION - Jesus is nailed to the cross

Reaching the place of crucifixion, the hill called Golgotha, Jesus is nailed to the cross. This station is located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, just behind the wall of the 10th station. This is the Latin (Franciscan) altar on Calvary (place of the skull - Golgotha).

Station 11

Stations 12: Jesus dies on the cross

TWELFTH STATION - Jesus dies on the cross

Jesus is crucified and dies on the cross, ending His agony. The location of this station, 12, is a Greek Orthodox crucifixion altar which is inside the Church of Holy Sepulcher. A silver disk with a central hole, underneath the altar, marks the spot where the Cross stood, and pilgrims kneel and kiss the spot, as seen below. The silver icons of Virgin Mary and St John are on Jesus side.

Station 12

 Jesus dies on the cross. Rock of Golgotha

 Jesus dies on the cross. Rock of Golgotha

Station 13: Jesus is taken down from the cross

THIRTEENTH STATION - Jesus is taken down from the cross

This station is also located inside the  Church of the Holy Sepulchre. According to tradition, the body of Jesus was laid on this stone after removed from the cross. As per John 19: 40: "Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury".

In the photo below - the stone of anointing (unction) greets the visitors, who kneel, pray and kiss the stone. 

Station 13

The place of where Jesus is taken down from the cross.

The place of where Jesus is taken down from the cross.

View of the wall behind place of where Jesus is taken down from the cross

Station 14: Jesus is laid in the tomb

FOURTEENTH STATION - Jesus is laid in the tomb

This is the final station of Via Dolorosa, located in round hall ("Rotunda"). The tomb of Jesus is located in a smaller structure in the center of the circle.

Station 14

The first chamber is called the Chapel of the Angel. Behind the Chapel is another narrow door which leads to a smaller inner chamber - the tomb of Jesus. Parts of the tomb's interior is seen below.  A marble lid covers the tomb.

Thus ends the journey of the "way of the Sorrow" (Way of the Cross). It ended here, but a new journey sparked from this end, starting a new faith which changed the World.

Continue to Next Page – 9