JESUS' LAST WEEK: PART 2

Jerusalem, IsraelNovember 2008

This is a model of Antonia Fortress, the Praetorium, where Jesus was led to from Caiaphas’ residence (John 18:28)

Today, the minaret, traditionally named “Antionia Tower,” recalls the site of the Roman fortress where Jesus was tried by PilateWithin its vicinity is the Omariye College which marks the First Station of the Cross along Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa, “Way of Sorrow,” traces the route that Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate & his crucifixion & burialAlong the Via Dolorosa are 14 stations of the crossEach station marks an event in Jesus’ final journey through the streets of JerusalemHere, the Fifth Station marks the place where Simon the Cyrenian was forced to carry Jesus’ cross (Mark 15:21)

The Via Dolorosa is within the Muslim Quarter

The Chapel of Condemnation (top) & the Chapel of Flagellation (left) mark the Second Station of the Cross where Jesus was sentenced to death & beaten by Roman soldiers (John 19:1-3)

On the floor in the Chapel of Condemnation, one can find board games drawn on the ground (by Roman soldiers?)

The Ecce Homo Arch (“Behold the man”; John 19:5) was built by Emperor Hardrian when he rebuilt Jerusalem & renamed it Aelia Capitolina in 130 CE

Walking down from the Second Station, we arrive at the intersection of 2 main roads—North-South & East-West—of Roman timesFrom here, we turn right to continue the journey of pilgrims

The last five stations are located in the Church of the Holy SepulchreThe Tenth Station, just outside the church, is called the Chapel of the Stripping of Jesus Garments (John 19:23)

The custody of the church is shared by the various religious bodies (since the Status Quo of the Holy Places was enforced in 1852):1. Roman Catholic2. Armenian Orthodox3. Greek Orthodox4. Egyptian Coptic5. Ethiopian Coptic6. Syrian OrthodoxUnder the Status Quo, nothing that is designated as common territory may be rearranged without consent from all communitiesAs a result, the ladder (near the centre of the photo) has been there since 1852

However, the key to the church was entrusted by Saladin in 1192 to the Joudeh familyTwice a day, a member of the Joudeh family brings the key to the doorThe door is unlocked & unlocked each day by a member of the Nusseibeh family

Source: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-church-of-holy-sepulchre-floor-plan.htm

One needs to climb up a stairway to CalvaryThe next two stations are situated hereThe Eleventh Station is where Jesus was nailed to the cross (John 19:17)

The Twelfth Station is where Jesus died on the cross (Matt 27:50)The Greek altar stands over the Rock of Calvary

The Stone of the Anointing, the Thirteenth Station of the CrossIt is believed to be the place where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 25:53)This marble limestone slab dates from 1808

A wall mosaic depicting that scene

The Fourteenth Station is the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre which has two roomsThe first one holds the Angel's Stone, a fragment of the stone believed to have sealed the tomb after Jesus' burial (Matt 27:59)The second one is the tomb itselfThe queue to get in was so long that we decided to give it a miss

Along the steps leading to the Chapel of St Helen, many crosses were etched along the stone walls by Armenian pilgrims who carved one cross for each member of the family

For me, this was the most sacred place in the whole church