THOUSANDS of visitors from around the world retraced the last journey of Jesus Christ down the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering in Latin) along with local Christians in Jerusalem on April 22.
The route ends at the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher, revered as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and his resurrection two days later on Easter Sunday.
People from around the world carry large wooden crosses on their shoulders and revisit the last steps that Jesus took on his way to death at the Calvary.
On Friday, Jerusalem’s walled Old City was crowded with people belonging to various churches. Among them were also a few people belonging to other faiths. Since the calendars of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches coincide this year, the two sects mark the holy week together. What it means to the local church and the administration is that everything right from processions to masses has to be carefully planned to avoid conflicts.
The city’s Jewish Quarter was also full of visitors since Jews are currently celebrating the weeklong Passover festival.
Police was out in full strength in the Old City, which contains sites holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.
