Israel Day 8/13: Via Dolorosa to Sisters of Zion

The Via Dolorosa, "the Way of Sorrow",  weaves through the Old City of Jerusalem. No one knows the exact route that Jesus took from the Praetorium to Golgotha, but pilgrims have been following a path of our Lord's passion since the 4th or 5th century. The current path was established in the 18th century along the 14 Stations of the Cross. These stations call believers to meditate on and to pray about the suffering of Christ. Pilgrims walk this every Friday led by a Franciscan, the largest procession is on Good Friday. Nine of the Stations are based on the Gospel accounts and five are traditional. The route stats at The Lion's Gate...

The first station is now at the Umariya Elementary School. Then it winds through the souks of the Muslim Quarter.

The second station is the Ecce Homo Arch. It is named to commemorate Pilate's plea to the crowds, "Behold the man!" The arch is actually part of the triumphal arch built by Hadrian in 135 AD. It is believed to be the site of the original Antonia Fortress.

Large sections of the plaza under the arch is now accessible under the convent of the Sisters of Zion.

There is also a small museum of artifacts before descending to the level of Jesus' time.

There is a large cistern at the bottom, measuring 177 feet long, 46 feet wide and about 16 feet deep. It was originally an open-air pool that was part of a system of reservoirs that brought water to the city.

There is much debate as to whether or not this is where Pilate had Jesus flogged here at the Antonia Fortress. But the pavement fits the description is John 19:13. Some of the stones are grooved to keep the horses from slipping. A game called "king for the day" was found etched into the stone pavers. The winner was given a crown, robe and scepter before being put to death. This is, of course, eerily similar to what the soldiers did to Jesus at His crucifixion. (Matthew 27:27-31)

the "king" game