Stations of the Cross

There are a series of pictures representing certain aspects in the Passion of Christ, and each one corresponds to a particular incident.

This series is known as Stations of the Cross or The Way of the Cross.

If you have come to this page in error and looking for information on railway station crosses, see Railway Station Crosses

The Stations of the Cross refers to two related things: the pictorial representation of the final moments of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. It is observed by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans, usually during Lent and especially on Good Friday. Alternative terms are the Way of the Cross (Latin: Via Crucis) or Way of Suffering (Latin: Via Dolorosa), which was the name given in the 16^th century to the route in the Old City of Jerusalem).

The stational devotions are believed to have been done since the 4^th century in Jerusalem, following the path that Jesus took to his Crucifixion. The route became known as Via Dolorosa and was marked with miniature crosses.

Initially, there were seven stations; a popular number in Christian tradition:

1. Jesus is given the cross to carry
2. He falls for the first time
3. He meets his mother
4. He falls for second time
5. Veronica hands Jesus her veil to wipe his face
6. He falls for the third time
7. He is laid in the tomb

Actually visiting Jerusalem was difficult for many who wanted to take part in the devotion, and physically going to Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem was not considered as important as making a spiritual pilgrimage.

By the 18^th century the stational services were well established in the West and by that time also, the Stations had doubled in number; most of the additions relating to the Crucifixion scene itself. The devotion is carried out by journeying (physically, or not) from Station to Station, praying and meditating on the particular incidents recalled by each Station.

It's easy to get carried away when you go 'on site' to the actual place where these events occurred. In fact, whilst there's no doubt that the Crucifixion of Jesus took place, some of the details described in the Stations are unverified. And this is of little importance to Christians - they put their faith in Jesus Christ, rather than associated relics or legends.

When the Stations are in the form of tableaux or pictures inside a church, they are always displayed with a cross above each scene. It is the cross that is the focus of a Station; not the picture.

The fourteen current Stations are:

1. Jesus condemned to death by Pilate
2. He is given the cross to carry
3. He falls for the first time
4. He meets his mother
5. Simon of Cyrene helps to carry the cross
6. Veronica hands Jesus her veil to wipe his face
7. He falls for second time
8. He speaks to the women of Jerusalem
9. He falls for the third time
10. He is stripped of his garments
11. He is nailed to the cross and crucified
12. He dies
13. His body is taken down from the cross
14. He is laid in the tomb

More and more these days, there is a Fifteenth Station to celebrate Christ's resurrection.