cms@dragon.uucp (08/06/90)
In article <Jul.29.13.49.20.1990.12690@athos.rutgers.edu>, cci632!sre@cs.rochester.edu (Sherry Ellington) writes: > In article <Jul.26.01.46.20.1990.26483@athos.rutgers.edu> carter@huey.css.gov (Sam Carter) writes: >>With regard to the number 14, it might also be noted that there are >>14 Stations of the Cross. > > Can you explain this? The devotion known as the Fourteen Stations of the Cross (or the Way of the Cross) is an adaptation of a custom widely practiced in Jerusalem, that is, the offering or prayer at a series of places traditionally associated with the Passion of Christ. Note that numbers 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 13 are based on inferences from Gospel accounts or from pious legend; they can be omitted. Used in private devotion and public service, especially on Good Friday. 1. Jesus is condemned to death. 2. Jesus takes up his Cross. 3. Jesus falls the first time. 4. Jesus meets his afflicted mother. 5. The Cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene. 6. A woman wipes the face of Jesus. 7. Jesus falls a second time. 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. 9. Jesus falls a third time. 10. Jesus is stripped of his garments. 11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross. 12. Jesus dies on the Cross. 13. The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother. 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. In various and sundry ways, the Resurrection is remembered either by incorporating it within the fourteenth station, or including it as a fifteenth station of the Cross. Originally, the number of stations varied widely. Common usage keeps the number fixed at fourteen. Source: THE BOOK OF OCCASIONAL SERVICES, Second Edition, conforming to General Convention 1988. According to the use of the Episcopal Church. -- Sincerely, Cindy Smith emory!dragon!cms