Since Lent 2017, the Stations of the Cross by artist Virginia Maksymowicz have been displayed in the nave of Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle. Although they were originally commissioned by St Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA—a very different kind of church interior than Saint Mark's—their elemental quality and stark appearance resonate visually and spiritually with the nave of Saint Mark's. Many are surprised to learn that they were not created specifically for this space! In fact, they have only been on loan to the cathedral since their first appearance here in 2018.

Now, Saint Mark's Cathedral is happy to announce that these artworks are now a permanent part of the cathedral collection. They have been given as a gift by The Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel, Bishop of Olympia, and Mrs Marti Rickel, to the glory of God and in loving memory of Bishop Rickel's father, Morris E. Rickel Jr. These Stations of the Cross will serve the cathedral community, the diocese, and wider community as a beautiful and prayerful aspect of our Lenten observances for years to come.

About the Stations of the Cross

Religious imagery depicting Jesus' journey to Golgotha and the tomb dates back to the 13th century. The artistic tradition began as a way to replicate the experience of pilgrims in Jerusalem, who would walked the Via Dolorosa—traditionally believed to be the route Christ walked in final hours—pausing at prescribed "stations" to reflect and pray. For her interpretation, Maksymowicz worked with a variety of models, culled from a wide range of ages and ethnicities. She explains, "I wanted the narrative of Christ’s passion and death to be represented in a way that is tensioned between the 'specific' and the 'universal.'"

Read a statement and a journal article by the artist.

Read the article in the Episcopal Journal about the Stations.

Check out the feature in Saint Mark's quarterly magazine, The Rubric.

Stations of the Cross Liturgies

At this time two communal liturgies engaging with The Stations of the Cross are planned for Holy Week 2023:

PALM SUNDAY: APRIL 2, 2023, following the 11 a.m. service (approx. 12:30 p.m)

Stations of the Cross Liturgy immediately following the 11 a.m. Palm Sunday service

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023, 11 A.M.

Stations of the Cross Liturgy immediately preceding the 12 p.m. Good Friday liturgy.

Additional liturgies may be announced; please stay tuned.

The Way of the Cross: A Liturgy on Film

In March of 2020, just after the closure of the building due to the pandemic, a team at Saint Mark's led by filmmaker David Wild created this video liturgy, showcasing the Stations in the context of the "Way of the Cross" liturgy from The Book of Occasional Services: