The Holy Cross: from Genesis to the Gospels
Throughout the Bible, the mystery of the cross is gradually revealed. Explore this topic through chosen works of church art.
A Visual Journey through Holy Week
Explore Holy Week through the lens of church art — from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday.
Christ unites the Virgin and St John (John 19:25-27)
As Jesus died on the cross, he brought his mother Mary and St John into a new relationship.
The Martyrdom of St Peter (2 Peter 1:13-15)
The New Testament refers to the execution of St Peter, which took place in Rome around 64 AD.
✙ 12th Station of the Cross: Christ dies on the cross
The 12th station pictures the death of Jesus. For the three hours Christ hung upon the cross, he was a model of love, duty and prayer.
✙ 11th Station of the Cross: Christ is nailed to the cross
The 11th station pictures the crucifixion. At Golgotha, with arms and feet outstretched, Christ was brutally nailed to the cross by the Roman soldiers.
+ Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary is the Crucifixion. It's a meditation on Christ's death, including being nailed to the cross and his last words to his mother.
The Centurion’s faith in Christ (Mark 15:39)
A group of Roman soldiers guarded Christ as he died on the cross. Their leader, a centurion, praised God and came to faith.
The Crucifixion (Psalm 22:1-18)
Psalm 22 is a prayer for relief from suffering. It was traditionally attributed to King David and also understood as a reference to the crucifixion of Christ.
The Piercing of the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10-14)
Zechariah prophesied that the people of Jerusalem would mourn bitterly over someone they had pierced. In his gospel. St John interpreted this as a reference to the death of Christ.