The Via Dolorosa — The Path of Sorrow for Christian Pilgrimmage

The Old City charmed visitors with its crisscross streets. Bazaars selling all kinds of oddities along the roads form an air of festiveness. The goods and fruits shine incredible colors upon the Old City’s characteristic sandstone buildings. More than two thousand years ago, Jesus walked this very path, bearing the weight of the cross on his shoulders as soldiers beat, tortured and taunted him. The Via Dolorosa (Lat. The Road of Sorrow) is the name for this journey. I meditated along my way, deliberately avoiding conversations with others. Other tourists seemed also to be keeping to themselves as well, walking silently. Some carried a cross in an entourage, to relive the suffering that once happened here. We walked in a rapid pace through the Old City. I had in my mind the imagery of Jesus here. In all solemnity I walked on, despite the picturesque scenery and all the tourist activities surrounding. There were a total of 14 stops on the Via Dolorosa, culminating to the very last stop where, as the Catholics saw it, Jesus’ crucifixion took place. There were disagreements as to the site of the crucifixion. The Anglican reading of history sounded reasonable, I thought it was likely to be closer to the true historical facts. Yet having walked Old City through the Via Dolorosa, I felt that the Catholic interpretation of history, with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as the final stop for Christ, brought forth a more emotionally powerful experience. It had to do with the sights and scenes on the way. There was the presence and continuation of an ancient city-scape that lends a sense of historic beauty, with it an authenticity that elicited lasting impressions and emotional responses. It also had to do with the pilgrims, who, through reliving Jesus’ suffering, brought to life the message of redemption. The Garden Tomb, despite being peaceful, did not move me in my soul. #israel #viadolorosa #jesuschrist #christianity #catholicism #churchoftheholysepulcher, #jerusalem #church