Kreuzweg celebrations in Jerusalem: A sign of hope for Good Friday

Kreuzweg celebrations in Jerusalem: A sign of hope for Good Friday

On April 18, 2025, traditionally shaped processions with crosses took place in Jerusalem on Good Friday. In the old town of Jerusalem, hundreds of Christians of all denominations gathered to pursue the suffering of Christ over Via Dolorosa. This path led along the 14 stations that range from the conviction to the crucifixion and the grave of Jesus, and ended at the Church of the Grabes. Due to the ongoing conflict, fewer foreign pilgrim groups were on site than in previous years. The Israeli police secured the train path to ensure the safety of the participants.

particularly noteworthy this year is that both western and eastern churches will celebrate Easter on the same appointment, which is a rare unit in Christianity. The highlights of the Eastern Church celebrations in Jerusalem are expected on Holy Saturday with the liturgy of the "Holy Fire". After orthodox folk belief, a flame ignites on the chapel worshiped as a grave.

tradition in Germany

Numerous Good Friday processions also took place in Germany, not least in Lübeck and Berlin. In Lübeck, the Way of the Cross is considered the oldest in Germany. Despite the bad weather with rain, many people in Schleswig-Holstein took the procession under the motto "Fear in the world-practice attitude!" part. In Berlin, six people of different Christian denominations wore a three -meter cross during the procession.

The Pope spoke to the inmate of a prison in Rome on Maundy Thursday, but due to health reasons, Pope Francis could not take part in the Easter celebrations as usual. He had not yet recovered from bilateral pneumonia. Therefore, he was represented on Maundy Thursday by Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, who held a sermon. This year the Pope waived the ritual foot washing. It is unclear in which form he can participate in the upcoming services. In Good Friday liturgy, he is expected to be represented by other cardinals.

Kreuzweg meditations

At the Good Friday Prozeduren 2024, Pope Francis wrote the meditations for the Way of the Cross on the Colosseum. These emphasized the topic "in prayer together with Jesus on the Way of the Cross" and referred to the history of the suffering of Jesus in a special way. Jesus was portrayed as someone who gave everything for people and is closely connected to them in prayer. The meditations include all 14 stations of the Way of the Cross, starting with the condemnation of Jesus up to the burial in the grave.

In 2025, the focus will be on ecumenical cooperation. Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios are committed to setting the Easter date. This is not only a theological concern, but also a symbolic sign of the unity of Christianity, which has been trying to find a common Easter date since the Nizea Council in 325. The efforts to celebrate a uniform celebration of Easter remain a central concern within the community of churches.

Overall, the joint celebration of Easter in 2025 brings hope for a stronger church interaction and better ecumenical efforts for the future.

Sources: Tageschau.de , Vaticannews.va href = "https://www.katholisch.de/artikel/58583-2025-macht-hoffnung-auf-ostern-fuer-alle"> katholisch.de .