Via Dolorosa Stations

"The Via Dolorosa is a narrow, stone path believed to be the route Jesus took to His Crucifixion nearly 2000 years ago. It is also known as "The Way of The Cross" or "The Way of Sorrow" and is one of Christendom's most sacred sites. Each year thousands of Christian pilgrims visit and walk along this path."

Alex Drukpa.

"Path took by Jesus on the way to crucifixion. There are 14 points of importance on the path. It's a narrow path leading all the way to holy sepulchere"

Pradeep Hegde

""Way of the Cross"or 'Via Dolorosa"
By the time we reached to follow the way of the cross it was almost 11:00 AM. The stress , the stations and inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre were too crowded. I will recommende to go as early as possible. Thepath, supposed to have been followed by Christ from the point of Condemnationto the point of Crucifixion and burial in the tomb, now located in Church ofthe Holy Sepulchre. The Path is called differently in different language."Sorrowful Way" or "Way of Suffering"; or "Way of Sorrows" "Way of the Cross" and"Via Dolorosa". The points where different events, like his falls andencounters with others occurred during his journey from condemnation to Crucifixion are called Stations.  Thereare no accurate records or nothings' of the exact path taken by Christ from theplace of his condemnation to the spot of crucifixion.Routefollowed now a days is more or less the same route which was taken by processionsduring 4th and 5th centuries. However there were no stopsfor stations or places marked as such during That time.EveryFriday afternoons hundreds of Christians follow The rout of "Way of thecross" or 'Via Dolorosa". Now a day's These procession take the routealong which 14 stations have been established.. Nineof the 14 stations are based on Gospel references. The other five —Jesus’ three falls( station 3, 7 and 9), his meeting with his Mother(station4), and Veronica wiping his face (Station 6) — are traditional. Wefollowed the route and saw first seven stations. Some in little detail frominside some just from outside. All stations visited by us along with theirdescription and photos are given individually. The stations we saw are :1.Station I. Jesus is condemned to death. Station I is located in the courtyard of Umariyya                          school. It opens only at 2:30 PM. If you go early you may have to be satisfied                      with seeing the brass plaque placed on the route. 2 Station II. Jesus carries his cross.3. Station III. Jesus falls the first time.4. Station IV. Jesus meets his Mother.5. Station V. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross.6. Station VI. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus ;and 7 Station VII Jesus falls the secondtime.Allthese station locations are marked accurately on the map with help of streetview. Even though Way of the cross has now been more or less formalised forgood. There are minor differences in the placing of brass plaques and relief depictingthe scene of that event. Like in street view brass plaque of station I ismissing. Such differences are there in few more stations.OurGuide did not take us to Stations. VIII and IX. These stations are8. Station VIII. Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem. 9. Station IX. Jesus falls the third time. Last five stations from X to XIV are locatedin Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I found it difficult to locate the brass plaque indicating location of the station.10 Station X. Jesus is stripped of his garments, inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 11. Station XI. Jesus is nailed to the cross, inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 12.Station XII. Jesus dies on the cross, inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 13.Station XIII. Jesus is taken down from the cross, inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 14.Station XIV.  Jesus is laid in the tomb,inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre."

PM Velankar