Beautiful theca, Stations of the Cross relic. This is a small pendant in book form that opens to reveal the stations of the cross. The front is covered with Jesus on the cross, the holy cross, and the back is covered in a floral wreath with space in the center for engraving. Inside, there is a brass plate. Removing the brass plate reveals fan-folded pages with black-and-white paper, reflecting the stations of the cross. At the top, there is a loop for hanging the pendant on a chain, ribbon, or another hanging piece so it can be worn. On the bottom of the pendant is a clasp that keeps the book closed. This piece is in excellent condition, with no defects except for patina. However, this is merely a reflection of the piece's age. This does not diminish the book in any way. It measures .75" wide and is 1" tall—truly a lovely piece.
Stations of the Cross, or the Way of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or Via Crucis, is a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion, accompanied by prayers. The stations grew out of imitations of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary. The object of the stations is to help the Christian 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 the churches of many Western Christian denominations, including Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and Western Orthodox parishes.
Commonly, a series of 14 images will be arranged in numbered order along a path, and the faithful travel from image to image, in order, stopping at each "station to say the selected prayers and reflections. This will be done individually or in a procession, most commonly during Lent, especially on Good Friday, in a spirit of reparation for the sufferings and insults that Jesus endured during his passion.
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