On Good Friday in Jerusalem there is a reenactment of the Way of the Martyrdom of Jesus.

Thousands of Orthodox Christians from many countries of the world, raising crosses, cross the route followed by Christ from his prison, Praetorium, to the hill of Golgotha, where today the Holy Sepulcher is located.

The procession of the Via Dolorosa includes 14 stops, connected to the events of the Martyrdom and the Passion.

Worshipers walk through the Old City of Jerusalem following the Way of Martyrdom making short stops to pray.

Via Dolorosa

The 14 stops

After the many cultural changes that took place in the region over the centuries, the current liturgical tactic of the march was established with the now established 14 stops:

– 1st stop, Pretoria. The death sentence of Jesus.
– 2nd stop, Pretoria. Jesus receives the Cross.
– 3rd stop, takes place at the corner of El Wad Street and is the first fall of Jesus from the weight of the Cross.
– 4th stop, Armenian Catholic Chapel. According to popular tradition, Jesus met his Mother.
– 5th stop, takes place at the house of Simon of Cyrene. The Roman soldiers rope him to carry the Cross for a few meters in place of Jesus.
– 6th stop, takes place at Veroniki’s house. According to the legend (Veronica’s Veil), Saint Veronica wipes the face of Jesus with her veil and the image of his Face is miraculously imprinted on it.
– The 7th stop is at the Gate of Judgment in the Latin Chapel where the second fall of Jesus took place.
– 8th stop, where Jesus meets and comforts the daughters of Jerusalem.
– 9th stop, near the entrance to the Church of the Resurrection where the Third Fall of Jesus took place.
– 10th stop is east of the Holy Court (Chapel of Armenians and Syrians) where Jesus undresses to begin the process of crucifixion.
– 11th stop, Calvary outside the Latin chapel
– 12th stop, Golgothas—outside the Greek Orthodox chapel.
– 13th stop, at the point of Demobilization.
– 14th stop, at the Holy Sepulcher.