Church of the Condemnation
Church of the Condemnation
The Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross is a Roman Catholic church located within the Franciscan compound that also contains the Church of the Flagellation in the old city of Jerusalem.
It marks the traditional spot where Jesus took up his cross after being
sentenced to crucifixion.
However, this tradition is based on the mistaken assumption that on an area of
roman flagstones, discovered beneath the building and beneath the adjacent
Convent of the Sisters of Zion, was the pavement (Greek: lithostratos) which the
Bible describes as the location of Pontius Pilate's judgment of Jesus;
archaeological investigation now indicates that these slabs are the paving of
the eastern of two 2nd century Forums, built by Hadrian as part of the
construction of Aelia Capitolina. The site of the Forum had previously been a
large open-air pool, the Strouthion Pool, which was constructed by the
Hasmoneans, is mentioned by Josephus as being adjacent to the Fortress in the
first century, and is still present beneath Hadrian's flagstones; the
traditional scene would require that everyone was walking on water.
Like Philo, Josephus testifies that the Roman governors stayed in Herod's palace
while they were in Jerusalem, carried out their judgments on the pavement
immediately outside it, and had those found guilty flogged there; Josephus
indicates that Herod's palace is on the western hill, and it has recently (2001)
been rediscovered under a corner of the Jaffa Gate citadel. Archaeologists now
therefore conclude that in the first century, that the Roman Governors judged at
the western hill, rather than the area around the Church of the Condemnation, on
the diametrically opposite side of the city.
The original church was built during the Byzantine era. It was converted into a
mosque before being restored to a Catholic church in 1904.
The church is topped by five white domes, each of them sitting on drum
containing stained-glass windows depicting themes from Christ's Passion.
Papier-mâché figures in the apse also visually narrate stories of the Passion.
In one Pontius Pilate condemns Jesus to crucifixion. Another shows John
desperately trying to keep the Virgin Mary from seeing Jesus carrying the cross
down the Via Dolorosa. Wall illustrations depict Pontius Pilate washing his
hands, and soldiers imposing the cross on Jesus. Four pink marble pillars
support the ceiling. Pilasters are found on many of the walls, and miniature
Corinthian columns appear to be holding up the altar. An interesting feature of
this church is the Roman period floor found next to its western wall. Typical of
floors of that era, it is made of very large, striated stones that kept people
from slipping as they walked.
Text from Wikipedia
