<P> The Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross , also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis , refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers . The stations grew out of imitations of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem which is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary . The object of the stations is to help the Christians faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Passion of Christ . It has become one of the most popular devotions and the stations can be found in many Western Christian churches , including Anglican , Lutheran , Methodist , and Roman Catholic ones . </P>
the origins of the stations of the cross
Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem which is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary