What Are The Stations Of The Cross?

The Stations of the cross are a series of 14 pictures or sculptures placed around a church to depict the final hours (Passion) of Jesus.  

They are a devotional aid.  

This devotion began with Saint Francis of Assisi and spread throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval times.  

It is less commonly observed by the Anglican (Episcopalian) and Lutheran Churches.

The stations are:

1. Jesus - condemned to death
2. Jesus - given his cross
3. Jesus - falls the first time
4. Jesus - meets his mother
5. Simon of Cyrene - carries the cross
6. Veronica - wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus - falls the second time
8. Jesus - meets the daughters of Jerusalem
9. Jesus - falls the third time
10. Jesus - is stripped of his garments
11. Jesus - is nailed to the cross (Crucifixion)
12. Jesus - dies on the cross
13. Jesus - body is removed from the cross
14. Jesus - is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.

Although not traditional, sometimes the Ressurection of Jesus is included as the 15th station.