Stations of the Cross
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Statues hanging on the north and south nave walls of the Cathedral compose a three dimensional display of the modern Stations of the Cross. The wooden figures composing each scene were carved in Munich, shipped to Savannah, and set into shadow boxes design and built in the United States. The stations were installed in 1900 for the re-opening of the Cathedral after the fire or 1898. Originally, the stations were colorized. In 1963 they were reduced down to their natural wood, giving them a marbleized effect. However, in 2000 statues were re-colored to appear as originally intended.
The Stations of the Cross (also refereed to as “The Way of the Cross.” in Latin as the “Via Dolorosa") make up a series of meditations focused on the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Christians praying through the stations follow from Station One to station fourteen, pausing to meditate at each. By following the Stations, Christians make a symbolic pilgrimage to the Holy Land and some of the places corresponding to Jesus’ path on his way to Calvary. As part of the Liturgical Year, Stations of the Cross are prayed by the congregation on Good Friday as an act of sharing in the suffering of Christ. After praying through the Stations on Good Friday, Christians then await the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning.
Through the centuries, the number of Stations has varied from 12 to 31 stations. In addition, focus on various locations and events has differed with places such as the house of Herod and the city gate of Jerusalem being part of earlier versions of the devotion.
- Christ is condemned
- Christ picks up his cross to start the journey to Calvary
- Christ falls the first time on the road
- Christ meets his mother on the road
- Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service
- Veronica wipes the grime from Christ’s face
- Christ falls the second time
- Christ meets the women of Jeruselem
- Christ falls the third time
- Roman soldiers strip Christ of his clothing
- Christ is crucified
- Christ dies on the cross
- Christ is removed from the cross
- Christ is laid in the tomb
