Moana Kuewa

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		2009.07.29 & 2009.06.21 ISRAEL Jerusalem Old City Christian Stations of the Cross Location: ISRAEL: Jerusalem The “Stations of the Cross “ are supposedly the places significant events occurred during Jesus of Nazareth’s Crucifixion in Jerusalem (although no one has been able to scientifically confirm these were the actual locations). His Crucifixion is believed to be a self-sacrifice for the salvation of humankind. The Crucifixion is the series of events where Jesus suffered whipping, beating, and being crowned with a wreath of thorns; carried a wooden cross after the beatings; was nailed to the wooden cross he carried, and died while on the cross. The “Stations of the Cross “ lie mainly along the Via Dolorosa Road (though not called by that name before the sixteenth century) and end at the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, this pathway was reverently marked from the earliest times . Saint Jerome wrote about the crowds of pilgrims from all countries who used to visit the holy places in his day. Following its path has been the goal of pious pilgrims ever since the days of Constantine. The following are a descriptions of each of the fourteen recognized “Stations of the Cross”: (1) the courtyard of Omarye College the site of the Roman fortress where Jesus was condemned to death; (2) across the Via Dolorosa is the Condemnation and Flagellation Chapels where Jesus took up the Cross after the Roman ruler, Pilate, took Jesus and scourged him then he handed Him over to the Jewish leaders & crowds to be crucified; (3) at the corner of El Wad Road stands the Polish Chapel with a high-relief above the entrance that shows Jesus falling for the first time under the cross; (4) in a little Armenian Catholic Chapel commemorates where Our Lady (mother of Jesus) stood by the roadside in order to see Her Son; (5) a Christian Franciscan order oratory marks the place where they forced a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, to carry Jesus’ cross; (6) within the chapel of the convent of the Little Sisters of Jesus (that was the traditional site of Veronica’s home) is an altar with candelabrum to mark the place Veronica wiped the sweat from Jesus’ face leaving an everlasting image of his face on her cloth; (7) a great Roman column is housed in a Franciscan order chapel marking where Jesus fell a second time just as He was leaving the city through a gate; (8) a stone-carved Latin Cross on the wall of the Greek monastery denotes where Jesus consoled the women of Jerusalem; (9) a Roman column is close to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica where Jesus fell for the third time within sight of the place of his Crucifixion; (10) next to the entrance of the Holy Sepulchre Basilica are the stairs to the Chapel of the Franks (where the Crusaders entered) and where Jesus was stripped of his garments “showing from the sole of the foot to the head were bruises, sores, and bleeding wounds (Is. 1:6); (11) inside the Basilica is the main Latin shrine redecorated with mosaics in 1938 to mark the place where Jesus was nailed to the Cross within site of his mother; (12) the ornate Greek alter stands over the Rock of Calvary where the crosses of Jesus and the two thieves were erected and where Jesus died; (13) at the main entrance to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica is the Stone of Unction placed in 1810 over the spot where they put Jesus after his death to anoint His body with herbs and oils, then wrap his body; and (14) in a Chapel within the Basilica is a shrine built in 1810 above the marble slab that covers the rock on which Chris’s body is believed to have been laid (it is the most sacred Christian site of all). The original tomb was carved for Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin (highest judicial and ecclesiastical council of the ancient Jewish nation) who disagreed with Jesus’ conviction. Note the ladder above the doorway to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica where it was being used for repair work in 1852. This is to remind all of the Ottoman decree issued in 1852 to end the fierce disputes, lasting centuries between at least 17 different Christian sects. Still in force and known as the “Status Quo”, it divides custody among Armenians, Greeks, Copt, Roman Catholics, Ethiopians, and Syrians. Every day, the church is unlocked by a Muslim keyholder acting as a “neutral” intermediary. This ceremonial task has been performed by a member of the same family for several generations. For more information, go to Stations of the Cross http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15569a.htm. Traveling Individuals Names: Nadine Smith, Jeff Cheske & Christine Bauman * Many of the descriptions are taken from a pamphlet purchased “on-site” that is published by Shalom Advertising www.holylandguides.com.