via dolorosa

American  

[dol-uh-roh-suh, doh-luh-] / ˌdɒl əˈroʊ sə, ˌdoʊ lə- /

noun

1. (initial capital letters) Christ's route to Golgotha.

2. a trying, painful, or sorrowful course or series of experiences.

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Via Dolorosa British  

/ ˈviːə ˌdɒləˈrəʊsə /

noun

1. the route followed by Christ from the place of his condemnation to Calvary for his crucifixion

2. an arduous or distressing course or experience

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Etymology

Origin of via dolorosa

From Latin via dolōrōsa literally, “sorrowful road”

Example Sentences

Morris is busy with new work: His latest, “Via Dolorosa,” set to music by Nico Muhly and Alice Goodman, will have its world premiere in Berkeley, Calif., in April.

From Seattle Times

The incident occurred in the Church of the Flagellation, which is located on the Via Dolorosa, the route believed to have been walked by Jesus to his crucifixion.

From Seattle Times

On his hat is a gold badge depicting the myth of Leda and the Swan, and in his right hand is a vibrant red carnation: a mark of fidelity, maybe, or an evocation of Mary’s tears on the Via Dolorosa.

From New York Times

The winding passageways that form the Via Dolorosa, along which Christians believe Jesus hauled his cross toward his crucifixion, were packed with over 1,000 worshipers.

From New York Times

They walked in fits and starts down the Via Dolorosa, past the site where tradition holds that Jesus was tried by Pontius Pilate, past where he was flogged and mocked, past the shops selling Christian icons and crosses, ice cream and T-shirts.

From New York Times