On Good Friday, Christians from different denominations will journey through the streets of Melbourne as part of the annual The Way of the Cross walk.
The event is organised by Melbourne City Churches in Action (MCCIA), an ecumenical coalition of 16 churches in Melbourne, including Wesley and St Michael’s Uniting Church.
The walk begins at 10am at St Francis’ Church, Melbourne’s oldest church. From there, it will move from church to church in the Melbourne CBD as worshippers sing, pray and listen to Bible readings. Wesley Uniting Church on Lonsdale St will host the fourth station.
Rev Alistair Macrae, minister at Wesley Uniting Church, explained the history of the walk.
“In late 1998, in an attempt to engage more fully with those who live and work in the city, the minister at Wesley Church raised the idea of establishing a walk in the city to mark Jesus’ way to the cross,” Mr Macrae said.
“This ecumenical project tells the story through bronze sculptures around the CBD that link many of the city churches together.”
The journey takes approximately two and a half hours and concludes at St Paul’s Cathedral, opposite Federation Square. Last year, more than 2000 people participated in the walk.
“Wesley Church has a sculpture in its front garden and worshippers join the walk at 10:30am following their own Good Friday service,” Mr Macrae said.
“There are also weekly walks conducted every Friday at 10am departing from St Francis’ Church at 10am.”
The 15th station – the resurrection of Jesus – will be commemorated on Easter Day. Worshippers will congregate St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral at 6:30pm before crossing the Yarra River and arriving at St John’s Lutheran Church in Southgate.
Route details and liturgy booklet are available on the MCCIA website. All are welcome to join in for the whole or any part of the pilgrimage.
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