JEJAK KEHIDUPAN YESUS
Via
Dolorosa, Jerusalem
For many Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem, the most important and meaningful
thing they will do while in the city is walk the Via Dolorosa, the route that
Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion and burial.
The Via Dolorosa pilgrimage is followed by Christians of many denominations, but
especially Catholics and Orthodox.
Signs at the start of the Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa pilgrimage been followed since early Christianity, beginning as
soon as it became safe to do so after Constantine legalized the religion
(mid-4th century). Originally, Byzantine pilgrims followed a similar path to the
one taken today, but did not stop along the way. Over the centuries, the route
has changed several times.
Steps to madrasa at the First Station
By the 8th century, the route had changed: beginning at the Garden of
Gethsemane, pilgrims headed south to Mount Zion then doubled back around the
Temple Mount to the Holy Sepulchre. The Middle Ages saw two rival routes, based
on a split in the Latin Church: those with churches to the west went westward
and those with churches in the east went eastward.
Chapel of the Flagellation at Station 2
Inside Palace of Pontius Pilate where Jesus was scorged and started carrying the cross
From the 14th to 16th centuries, pilgrims followed the Franciscan route, which
began at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and included eight stations. Around
this time, the tradition of 14 Stations of the Cross was developing in Europe.
To avoid disappointing European pilgrims, the difference was made up with the
addition of six more stations.
Inside the Chapel of the Flagellation
Today, the main route of the Via Dolorosa is that of the early Byzantine
pilgrims, with 14 stations along the way. However, alternative routes are
followed by those who have different opinions on the locations of various
events. Anglicans believe Jesus would have been led north towards the Garden
Tomb, while Dominican Catholics start from Herod's Palace near Jaffa Gate.
Ancient Roman games at Station 2
For most pilgrims, however, the exact location of each event along the Via
Dolorosa is of little importance; the pilgrimage has great meaning due to its
proximity to the original events and the reflection upon them along the way.
The Fifth Station
The route of the Via Dolorosa begins near the Lions' Gate in the Muslim Quarter
and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter, covering
500 meters and incorporating 14 Stations of the Cross. Unfortunately, the Via
Dolorosa can prove a difficult place for prayer and contemplation, as it travels
through busy streets lined with snack bars and tourist shops.
Station 8, where women lamented
Each of the 14 Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa is marked with a
plaque, but these small signs can be difficult to spot. Probably the best way to
be sure of recognizing all the stations is to join the Friday procession or another guided walk (ask at the Christian
Information Centre). Preparation in advance is helpful, too, and perhaps the
following description of the Via Dolorosa can help.
Stone-carved marker at the 8th Station of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa, commemorating Jesus' statement to the women of Jerusalem; note the Latin cross and the Latin word nika (Greek niki) meaning "victory"
Station 1 is Jesus' condemnation by Pontius Pilate (Mt 27:11-24; Mk 15:1-15; Lk
23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16). This event is held to have occurred at the site of
Madrasa al-Omariya, 300m west of the Lion's Gate. The madrasa is still used as a
school and can be entered with the permission of the caretaker at specific times
(Mon-Thu, Sat 2:30-6; Fri 2:30-4pm). As mentioned above, an alternative location
for this event is Herod's Palace at Jaffa Gate.
Station 2 is where Jesus took up his cross. This is located next to the
Franciscan Monastery of the Flagellation, across the road from the First
Station.
The Chapel of Judgment/Condemnation, on the left, marks the site where Jesus was
sentenced to death; the Chapel of the Flagellation, on the right, is where he
was beaten by Roman soldiers (Mt 27:27-30; Mk 15:16-19; Jn 19:1-3).
From here, the Via Dolorosa turns south on Tariq Bab al-Ghawanima and passes the
northwestern gate of the Temple Mount, Bab al-Ghawanima. Up ahead on the north
side of the Via Dolorosa is the Convent of the Sisters of Zion, which contains
large pieces of the Lithostratos (Pavement of Justice).
The Lithostratos stone slab has grooves carved in it, which are variously
interpreted as channels for rainwater or traction for horses. What is clear,
though, is that the squares and triangles on the slabs were made by game-playing
Roman soldiers. The floor has been dated to the time of Hadrian (AD 117-138) and
therefore postdates Jesus, but it is still fascinating and serves to bring to
life the Gospel account of soldiers gambling for Jesus' clothes.
Just west of the entrance to the Lithostratos is the Ecce Homo Arch, where
Pilate identified Jesus to the crowd saying "Ecco homo" ("Behold the man" - Jn
19:5). The arch is part of a gate dating from Emperor Hadrian's time and was
given its present name in the 16th century.
Marked by a relief sculpture above the door of a small Polish chapel at the
junction with al-Wad Road, Station 3 is where Jesus fell for the first time
under the weight of his cross. Station 4 is where Mary watched her son go by
with the cross, and is commemorated at the Armenian Church of Our Lady of the
Spasm. (Neither of these events is recorded in the Bible.) Be sure to go inside
the church to see the remarkable 5th-century floor mosaic, which includes an
outline of a pair of sandals, said to be Mary's footprints.
At Station 5, Simon of Cyrene was forced by Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry
this cross (Mt 27:32; Mk 15:21; Lk 23:26). This is located on the corner where
the Via Dolorosa turns west off al-Wad Road and begins to narrow as it goes
uphill.
At the top of a steep hill is Station 6, where, according to a tradition dating
from the 14th century, St. Veronica wiped Jesus' face with her handkerchief,
leaving an image of his face imprinted on the cloth. The relic, known as the
Sudarium or Veronica, is kept at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Veronica's name
may derive from the Latin vera icon, "true image."
Station 6 is commemorated by the Church of the Holy Face, served by the “Little
Sisters,” a Greek Catholic rite. The chapelis part of the Crusader monastery of
St. Cosmos and was refurbished by Barluzzi in 1953. Inside are refurbished
Crusader arches.
At Station 7, Jesus fell for a second time. This is marked by a Franciscan
chapel at the Via Dolorosa's junction with Souq Khan al-Zeit.
Station 8 is across the market street and up the steps of Aqabat al-Khanqah,
opposite the Station VIII Souvenir Bazaar. A cross and the Greek inscription "NIKA"
on the wall of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Charalambos mark the place
where Jesus consoled the lamenting women of Jerusalem (Lk 23:27-31).
Worshippers at the Greek Orthodox Calvary
A rather confusing route across Souq Khan al-Zeit, south down Khan al-Zeit, and
up 28 stone steps leads to Station 9 at the Coptic Patriarchate next to the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here, a Roman pillar marks the site of Jesus'
third fall.
Burial place of Christ in the edicule
Stations 10-14 are all inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. To get to the
entrance from Station 9, head south down Souq Khan al-Zeit to the end, turn
right into Souq al-Dabbagha and go straight on to the doorway at the end of the
street.
See the Church of the Holy Sepulchre article on the next page; briefly, the last five stations are
as follows:
Jesus is stripped - top of the stairs to the right outside the entrance
Jesus is nailed to the cross - upstairs just inside the entrance, at the Latin
Calvary
Jesus dies on the cross - Rock of Golgotha in the Greek Orthodox Calvary
Jesus is taken down from the cross - statue of Our Lady of Sorrows next to the
Latin Calvary
Jesus is laid in the tomb - in the edicule on the main floor, inside the tiny
Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre
A weekly procession along the Via Dolorosa is led by Franciscans at 3pm on
Fridays, which is approximately the time and day of the original events. The
procession begins at the Pilgrims' Reception Centre, about 300m inside the
Lions' Gate in the Muslim Quarter. Joining this is perhaps the best way to
experience the full devotional atmosphere of the pilgrimage.
The most popular time to follow the Via Dolorosa is during Holy Week, when
thousands of pilgrims, led by Franciscans, follow the route to the crucifixion
GOD IS THE LORD WHO DOES MIRACLES
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE
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