The Via Dolorosa: Station 8

Written by Nate in Site

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27–31).

Luke notes that a group of women followed Jesus mourning and weeping. At some point along the way, he stopped and addressed them. Only Luke talks about this incident.

Station 8 is one of only two stations to not have a chapel. In the wall at the station is a stone with a Latin cross chiseled out in the middle and the Roman letters IC and XC on top and NIKA on the bottom.

The Roman letters IC XC at the top, and NI KA at the bottom.

The letters on top are shorthand for IHCOYC (Isous) and XPICTOC (Christos), which are Roman representations of the Greek words ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Isous Christos). While NIKA is the Roman representation of the Greek word ΝΙΚH (Niki). Together these words mean JESUS CHRIST and VICTORY.

So, the phrase being said is “Jesus Christ conquers.” And if we think back to the discussion on Mark’s description of Jesus’s march from his Condemnation to Golgotha being a triumphal march; we can further see that European Christians most likely did understand Mark’s narrative through the lens of the Roman Triumph. Along with all of its themes of victory and heroic conquerors.

This wall is on the back side of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Charalambos.

Head back down to Khan es-Zeit St., turn right, and head south. The staircase that leads up to Station 9 is tricky to find. Look for a juice stand. Behind it is the staircase. Once you are on that path, just follow it as it only leads to one place.

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