Good Friday – A Procession to The Church of Holy Sepulchre – walking along Way of the Cross in Jerusalem – reliving Jesus Christ’s holy journey towards sacrifice and redemption of mankind
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey as prophesied in Old Testament towards the journey that includes the trial before the Jewish high priest followed by the trial of Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, who eventually ordered for his death by crucifixion.
Palm Sunday, Jerusalem, 2025
Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, Israel
Devotees across the world observe Palm Sunday (this year it was on April 13) marking the beginning of the Holy week, when Jesus began his journey towards the cross. And traditions across the world symbolise Jesus Christ’s act of redemption and resurrection and his ultimate victory over death when world celebrates it with much devotion on the Easter Sunday. Devotees take out processions holding the palm leaves as mark of devotion on this day.
Palm Sunday and the entire holy week leading up to Easter hold great significance for the devout, who visit Jerusalem in Israel. Devotees sing in praise of Jesus as they walk along Via Dolarosa – the processional route that is believed to have been taken by Jesus Christ carrying the cross while he was forced along the way by Roman soldiers.
In fact, Way of The Cross is a major tourist attraction when you are in Jerusalem – one of the oldest cities that is a confluence of three prominent Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The city is home to thousands of years old heritage and history of rulers, people and their Gods.
Jerusalem – The Confluence of Religions
Visit to Israel is an out of the world experience in the context not just for a devout Christian, but as a tourist who is invested in the history and legend.
A drive towards Jerusalem from Tel Aviv the economic centre of Israel, passing through Nazareth, considered to be the hometown of Jesus Christ, and alongside the Mount of Olives, a visit to the ancient city of Tiberia and cruising on the Sea of Galilee over which Jesus Christ is said to have sailed along as he went from place to place with his devotees spreading his gospel, and finally walking Way of The Cross – it is indeed re-visiting the biblical stories that adds to the aura of the capital of Israel.
Jerusalem – Way of The Cross
Way of The Cross that is followed in the present day begins in the area where there was the famed Antonia Fortress of the yore. It is here that the Roman Governor is said to have held the trial condemning Jesus Christ. It then passes through the 14 stations that include the Church of Flagellation, where Jesus falls for the first time (one of the three times); where he meets his mother; at the place where Simon of Cyrene was made to bear the cross, the sixth station where Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; at the station where women weep over Jesus; where he is stripped of his clothes; and nailed to the cross and once he dies; followed by laying him in the Sepulchre.
A walk along this path is surreal as we pass through old Jerusalem, via the Muslim quarters, alongside the El-Omariya school, through the old city, to the Christian Quarters, passing along the way, narrow lanes with their old brick walls and arches that stand testimony to the centuries-old history. It is when you reach the ninth station where Jesus Christ is believed to have fallen for the third time, you know you are close to The Holy Sepulchre church and inside the church are the last five stations.
The various stations are duly marked along the way on metal plates or as relief on the wall; and there are the smaller chapels marking the stations in the lanes which symbolise Jesus Christ’s journey to redeem human kind of their sins.
Enroute there is the chapel of St. Helena, who is the mother of Constantine the Great who originally built the church in 336 CE. St Helena chapel is built in her honour as she is said to have discovered the True Cross.
When you enter the courtyard of Holy Sepulchre, it is the 10th station where Jesus is prepared for crucifixion – inside the church you take a small detour via stairs to reach the rock (Golgotha) where Jesus Christ was crucified; you can see the end of it in a glass enclosure. He is then said to have been taken down (13th station) Then there is the anointing stone where he is said to have been placed after his death before taking him to be laid in the tomb. The same tomb from where he is said to have been risen from death.
As soon as you enter the church you see pilgrims kneeling before the anointing stone, touching it reverence, and placing things on it to seek blessings. Outside the church along the lanes you have stores selling Olive Wood Crosses, framed pictures of Jesus Christ, Holy Oil among others.
The empty tomb is inside a decorated shrine under a beautiful dome which brings in the light during the day – popularly regarded a centre of earth.
During tourist season, especially during the holy week, the lanes become crowded, and you may take more time to go inside the tomb –while at other times it may not take as much time. However, the peace that envelops you inside the sepulchre is worth the wait.
The church considered to be the holiest of places for Christians as it is the place of Crucifixion, burial and resurrection is magnificent. The timelessness of the structure that stood the various phases of history – the resplendence of it all; the mosaic representing various stories, murals, the chandeliers, decorations. However, it is the story of the Christ, his message of love and sacrifice to his followers is what we carry with us in our hearts as we relive it all as we walk Way of The Cross – on all days – not just Palm Sunday.
On Fridays especially, the devout Christians of Jerusalem hold a procession walking along the 14 stations. Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter are ofcourse memorable.
The Church of Holy Sepulchre Gallery / The Way of Cross Gallery / Good Friday
