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14 Stations of the Cross

by Listverse Writers
fact checked by Alex Hanton

Good Friday is the day traditionally set aside to remember the death of Jesus on the Cross. Good Friday is one of only two days in the year that Roman Catholics do not have Mass. Instead, on this day, most Catholic churches recite the Stations of the Cross (these are normally found an pictures around the inside walls of all churches). In the 12th century, Saint Francis of Assisi devised the list and started the tradition of reciting it as a type of devotional service. Structurally, Mel Gibson’s 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ, follows the stations. This is the complete list of the 14 stations, as Saint Francis defined them.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Misconceptions About The Catholic Church

1 First Station
Jesus is condemned to death

Station01

The Sanhedrin, an exclusive council of elders, had Jesus arrested during Passover due to the fact that they felt threatened by his religious teachings. They put Jesus in front of Pontius Pilate to be tried for blasphemy. After Jesus was beaten and tortured, Pilate ordered him to punishment by death by crucifixion.

2

Second Station
Jesus carries His cross

Station02

Jesus accepts his fate and is given a large wooden cross; he’s ordered to carry it to the location where he will be nailed to it and left to die. While the cross is heavy and difficult to move, Jesus never complains and begins his journey to Golgotha.

3

Third Station
Jesus falls the first time

Station03

It was at this point that Jesus fell for the first time under the weight of the wooden cross. While there are no definitive dimensions or specs recorded of the cross, Catholic tradition says that Jesus fell three times under its weight.

SEE ALSO: 10 Disturbing Facts About The Church Of Almighty God

4

Fourth Station
Jesus meets his mother

Station04

While carrying the cross, Jesus reunites with his mother, Mary. They look into each others eyes, both understanding the pain and heartache each are experiencing. After the brief encounter, Jesus continues carrying the cross to Mount Calvary.

Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ recreates this moment very well.

The Passion of the Christ the best scene

5

Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross

Station05

According to all three Synoptic Gospels, Simon initially just intended to observe Jesus carrying the cross to his crucifixion. Instead, Simon temporarily carried the cross after the Romans ordered him to help Jesus.

6

Sixth Station
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Station06

Veronica, a woman from Jerusalem and a disciple of Jesus, saw Jesus struggling while carrying his cross. Moved by his pain and sympathy, Veronica gave Jesus her veil in order to wipe away his perspiration and onlookers’ spit off his face. Jesus took the cloth, held it up to his face, and then returned to her. When Veronica looked at the fabric, an image of his face appeared upon it. This cloth is now known as the Veil of Veronica.

7

Seventh Station
Jesus falls the second time

Station07

Although he had help from Simon and Veronica, Jesus continued to struggle carrying the cross to Golgotha, and fell again due to his wounds, abuse, and fatigue. Without saying anything, Jesus regained his footing and continued walking.

SEE ALSO: 10 Weird Facts About The Early Church

8

Eight Station
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Station08

While many fought against him, Jesus had disciples who believed and trusted him. Some of those people were the women of Jerusalem who came to comfort and thank him during his trek to Mount Calvary. During this encounter, Jesus told them not to weep for him, but for the future of themselves and their children.

9

Ninth Station
Jesus falls a third time

Station09

Not long after Jesus met the women of Jerusalem, he fell under the weight of his cross; this last fall was the worst. As Jesus struggled underneath the massive cross, his executioners demanded that he get up and continue. Roman soldiers eventually got him back up on his feet and forced to continue walking towards his imminent death.

10

Tenth Station
Jesus’ clothes are taken away

Station10

Upon reaching Mount Calvary, soldiers removed Jesus’ clothes, leaving him naked, vulnerable, and humiliated. At this time, Jesus was beaten again, reopening old wounds on his back. At a certain point, onlookers stare at Jesus, as his eyes turn towards heaven.

11

Eleventh Station
Jesus is nailed to the cross

Station11

Jesus was nailed to his cross and placed between two thieves who were nailed to their own crosses for their crimes. Scholars argue whether three or four nails were used to fasten Jesus to his cross, but as it was lifted up, the weight of his body hung on those nails, increasing pain and blood loss.

12

Twelfth Station
Jesus dies on the cross

Station12

After dying on the cross, according to the Gospel of John, a soldier stabbed Jesus in the rib cage with a spear to ensure that he was dead; blood and water gushed from the wound. Later, these soldiers divided his garments amongst themselves, including his seamless robe, also known as the Holy Tunic, the Honorable Robe, and Chiton of the Lord.

13

Thirteenth Station
The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross

Station13

The lifeless body of Jesus is held by his mother, Mary at the base of his cross. A rich man known as Joseph of Arimathea, then appeared on the scene who deemed himself responsible for the burial of Jesus. Joseph offered an empty, man-made tomb in the garden of his house nearby to place the body of Jesus to rest.

14

Fourteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the tomb

Station14

The burial of Jesus took place in Joseph of Arimathea’s vacant tomb, as planned. Joseph wrapped the body of Jesus in linen, placed the body in his tomb, rolled a stone in front of its opening and left. The placement of the large stone over the tomb’s entrance is recognized the final sign of the permanence of death.

Of course, some people believe in a Fifteenth Station which represents the Resurrection of the Lord. Traditionally, there are only Fourteen Stations, but that number has always varied slightly throughout history and still does today.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Shameful Moments in Catholic History

fact checked by Alex Hanton
Listverse Writers

Listverse is a place for explorers. Together we seek out the most fascinating and rare gems of human knowledge. Three awesome top 10 lists daily.

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