Watched by a heavy Israeli police presence and led by Franciscan monks, the pilgrims, some carrying wooden crosses, others umbrellas because of the unseasonal rain, moved slowly down the pale limestone Via Dolorosa, worn smooth from the feet of generations of pilgrims over the centuries.
The Via Dolorosa, based on a route organized by Franciscan monks in the 14th century, has 14 stations, each marking an event which befell Jesus as he walked, carrying his cross, to his crucifixion.
The final five stations are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Crusaders' basilica built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried.
According to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose from the dead the following Sunday.
The devotions began earlier, when Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, the senior Roman Catholic prelate in the Holy Land, entered the Holy Sepulchre to pray.
Around 400 pilgrims managed to enter the church with him before the doors were shut, leaving hundreds more outside.
'For a believing Christian this is very impressive,' said Edwin Rank, who came to the Old City form Germany. 'This is something you have to experience once in a lifetime.'
The final five stations are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Crusaders' basilica built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried.
According to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose from the dead the following Sunday.
The devotions began earlier, when Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, the senior Roman Catholic prelate in the Holy Land, entered the Holy Sepulchre to pray.
Around 400 pilgrims managed to enter the church with him before the doors were shut, leaving hundreds more outside.
'For a believing Christian this is very impressive,' said Edwin Rank, who came to the Old City form Germany. 'This is something you have to experience once in a lifetime.'
Source : monstersandcritics.com
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