What is stations of the Cross?

  • (noun): (Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of 14 prayers before the 14 stations of the cross (referring to Jesus' suffering and crucifixion).
    Synonyms: Stations
    See also — Additional definitions below

Stations Of The Cross

Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) is a series of artistic representations, very often sculptural, depicting Christ Carrying the Cross to his crucifixion in the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus before he died, and the devotions using that series to commemorate the Passion, often moving physically around a set of stations. The vast majority of Roman Catholic churches now contain such a series, typically placed at intervals along the side walls of the nave; in most churches these are small plaques with reliefs or paintings, simpler than most of the examples shown here. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St. Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period. It is commonly observed in Lutheranism, and amongst the Anglo-Catholic wing of Anglicanism. It may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday and on Friday evenings during Lent.

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Some articles on stations of the Cross:

Stations Of The Cross - Gallery
... Stations in Church of St ... Casimir the Prince From The Cloisters in New York City Station in Upper Swabia, Germany Station in Fuensanta Sanctuary, Murcia, Spain Elaborate 19th century stations I and II, Sacr ...
Cross In The Woods - Stations of The Cross
... The Stations of the Cross represent the stages leading up to Jesus’ death ... At the Cross in the Woods Parish, the Stations of the Cross are located outside, incorporated into the pine forest on the Shrine grounds ... The main emphasis in this area is a statue of the resurrected Jesus or the fifteenth Station of the Cross ...
St Chrysostom's Church - Church Building - Stations of The Cross
... The Stations of the Cross are a later addition to the church fabric and are the work of Ian Howgate c.1938 ...
St. Mary's Cathedral (Portland, Oregon) - Art - Stations of The Cross
... The stations of the cross are original to the cathedral. ...

More definitions of "stations of the Cross":

  • (noun): A representation of the 14 stages in Christ's journey to Calvary.

Famous quotes containing the words stations of the, stations of, cross and/or stations:

    “mourn

    The majesty and burning of the child’s death.
    I shall not murder
    The mankind of her going with a grave truth
    Nor blaspheme down the stations of the breath”
    —Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)

    “mourn

    The majesty and burning of the child’s death.
    I shall not murder
    The mankind of her going with a grave truth
    Nor blaspheme down the stations of the breath”
    —Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)

    “But soft, behold! lo where it comes again!
    I’ll cross it though it blast me. Stay, illusion!”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    “I can’t quite define my aversion to asking questions of strangers. From snatches of family battles which I have heard drifting up from railway stations and street corners, I gather that there are a great many men who share my dislike for it, as well as an equal number of women who ... believe it to be the solution to most of this world’s problems.”
    —Robert Benchley (1889–1945)