Day 5 (2) Church of Condemnation and Flagellation

The Catholic Franciscan complex in this site includes a monastery, the Flagellation chapel and the Condemnation chapel. According to tradition, this was the site where the Roman soldiers flogged Jesus after he was convicted and sentenced to death. On the right side of the entrance is a small exhibition of archaeological findings.

We saw the The Chapel of Judgment/Condemnation, on the left, which is the site where Jesus was sentenced to death. The Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross is a Roman Catholic church located within the Franciscan compound. It marks the traditional spot where Jesus took up his cross after being sentenced to crucifixion. 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. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Condemnation_and_Imposition_of_the_Cross)

The Chapel of the Flagellation, on the right, is where he was beaten by Roman soldiers. According to tradition, this was the site where the Roman soldiers flogged Jesus after he was convicted and sentenced to death. The interior of the church is magnificent, with 3 remarkable stained-glass windows illustrating Pontius Pilate washing his hands from the sin (on the left); flogging Jesus and placing a crown of thorns over the head (center); and Barrabbas rejoices on his release instead of Jesus (on the right).
On the walls of the convent is station II of Via Dolorosa. The sign "II" is seen marked on a round metal marker. Behind the wall is the chapel of Condemnation.
At this station Jesus receives the cross (John 19:17, 19): "And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha...And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross...".
Station I is across the street. The site was the place of the seat of Pontius Pilate, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate.
Also See
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Flagellation
2. http://www.christusrex.org/www2/baram/B-condemn.html
3. http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/Flagellation.html