calvary

Calvary is a term used in Christian tradition to refer to the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion outside Jerusalem, traditionally identified with the hill known as Golgotha or the “place of skulls.” In broader usage, Calvary can denote the crucifixion event itself or the cross upon which Jesus died. The image of Calvary is common in Christian art and liturgy, where it symbolizes sacrifice, suffering, and redemption.

Etymology and usage: The word Calvary comes to English from Latin Calvaria (calvariae), meaning “skull,” itself connected to the Aramaic and Hebrew term for Golgotha. The English form Calvary emerged in the Middle Ages influenced by this Latin root. Golgotha, by contrast, is the original name in the Gospels, meaning “place of skulls.”

Geography and tradition: The traditional site of Calvary is described as a hill outside ancient Jerusalem’s walls. Christian tradition has long identified it with Golgotha, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is venerated by many as marking both Golgotha and Jesus’s tomb. The exact historical location is a matter of scholarly discussion, but the devotional concept of Calvary remains central in many Christian denominations.

Other uses: Beyond its biblical meaning, Calvary appears in modern times as a proper name for churches, parishes, cemeteries, schools, and geographical locations. The term is also used in phrases such as “to bear one’s Calvary” to denote enduring suffering or hardship in a religious or literary context.