| Stations of The Cross |
Via Cruis or Via Dolorosia is Latin for Stations of the Cross. This designates the stretch of road between the
Antonia Fortress and Golgotha, along which Jesus Christ walked under the weight of the Cross. Since the early
centuries of Christianity, Christians have always wanted to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to the cross. For most of
us this opportunity will not arise.
However, during the early times, pilgrims were able to make the journey to the Holy Land and would return with
stories, wanting always to remember the events that took place at each location.
It was the Franciscans, during the sixteenth century, who first promoted the use of scenes from the last journey of
Jesus to the cross. This was no doubt inspired by the Crusaders who often erected tableaux of places they had
visited in the Holy Land. So has developed a devotion which has come to be called the Stations of the Cross.
The seventeenth century marks the time at which Stations were first placed on church walls. Even today you will
find the Stations of the Cross displayed on church walls within a Catholic Church.
Over the years there have been as few as five and as many as 30 Stations. In 1731 the number was fixed by
Clement XII at fourteen. Nine of these commemorated events in the Gospel and five were taken from early church
tradition. The Stations at The Prayer Center focus on the nine Biblical events.
A devotional to guide you through The Stations has been developed for The Prayer Center. These devotions were
written and narrated by Pastor David Alexander. The music accompaniment was written and recorded by Don
Hershman. You can walk through The Stations with the devotional at The Prayer Center. We have also made them
available below.
Antonia Fortress and Golgotha, along which Jesus Christ walked under the weight of the Cross. Since the early
centuries of Christianity, Christians have always wanted to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to the cross. For most of
us this opportunity will not arise.
However, during the early times, pilgrims were able to make the journey to the Holy Land and would return with
stories, wanting always to remember the events that took place at each location.
It was the Franciscans, during the sixteenth century, who first promoted the use of scenes from the last journey of
Jesus to the cross. This was no doubt inspired by the Crusaders who often erected tableaux of places they had
visited in the Holy Land. So has developed a devotion which has come to be called the Stations of the Cross.
The seventeenth century marks the time at which Stations were first placed on church walls. Even today you will
find the Stations of the Cross displayed on church walls within a Catholic Church.
Over the years there have been as few as five and as many as 30 Stations. In 1731 the number was fixed by
Clement XII at fourteen. Nine of these commemorated events in the Gospel and five were taken from early church
tradition. The Stations at The Prayer Center focus on the nine Biblical events.
A devotional to guide you through The Stations has been developed for The Prayer Center. These devotions were
written and narrated by Pastor David Alexander. The music accompaniment was written and recorded by Don
Hershman. You can walk through The Stations with the devotional at The Prayer Center. We have also made them
available below.
| Station 1 Jesus is Condemned Luke 23:24 |
| Station 4 Jesus Speaks to the Woman Luke 23:27-31 |
| Station 5 Jesus Stripped of His Garments John 19:23 |
| Station 6 Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Mark 15:24 |
| Station 7 Jesus Dies on the Cross Mark 15:37 |
| Station 8 Jesus' Body is Taken Down from the Cross Luke 23:53 |
| Station 9 Jesus' Body is Laid in the Tomb Matthew 27:60 |
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