JERUSALEM: Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem's Old City follow in the footsteps of Jesus as they walk the Via Dolorosa

Record ID: 863324

  • Title: JERUSALEM: Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem's Old City follow in the footsteps of Jesus as they walk the Via Dolorosa
  • Date: 29th March 2013
  • Summary: PEOPLE DRESSED AS ROMAN SOLDIERS WHILE A MAN DRESSED AS JESUS COVERED IN BLOOD WITH CROWN OF THORNS CARRIES CROSS ISRAELI SECURITY FORCES GUARDING THE PROCESSION WOMAN DRESSED AT JESUS' MOTHER MARY PRETENDING TO CRY AS ROMAN SOLDIER THREATENS HER PROCESSION WALKS AWAY ALONG ROUTE
  • Embargoed: 13th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jerusalem
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVACJZOAYBQQ29B8KJ1DM7875ZWB
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thousands of Christian pilgrims marked Good Friday (March 29) by walking the "Via Dolorosa" or "The Way of Sorrows" in Jerusalem's Old City.
    The faithful followed the route they believe Jesus walked, carrying his cross to where he was crucified more than 2,000 years ago.
    Along the route, crowds stopped to pray at the various stations of the Cross which signify significant points on his journey.
    Many pilgrims also carried wooden crosses, with one group acting out the route complete with Roman soldiers and a man wearing a crown of thorns covered in fake blood.
    Every Easter thousands of Christians from around the world flock to Jerusalem to pray and commemorate the death of Jesus Christ.
    Friday's procession finished at The Church of the Holy Sepulchre where the last five Stations of the Cross are located.
    The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be the site of Christ's Crucifixion, burial and resurrection, was constructed by the Roman emperor Constantine and rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor Constantine Monomachus. The church has survived fires and earthquakes.
    Because of fights over ownership of the church among the different Christian congregations: Armenians, Greeks, Copts, Roman Catholics, Ethiopians and Syrians - the church is unlocked each morning by a Muslim keyholder.
    Latin Christian Easter celebrations culminate on Sunday (March 31) the day that believers say Jesus rose from the dead.
    Orthodox Christians will celebrate the Easter weekend from Friday (May 3).
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register