Lazarus Saturday – Orthodox magazine “Thomas”

What is Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus Saturday, or Palm Saturday, is the Saturday of the sixth week of Lent. This week is also called Vai Week (“Vai” is a palm branch (obsolete church)), or Palm Week. On this day we remember the miracle of the resurrection of righteous Lazarus.

In the church calendar, Lazarus Saturday and the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) are celebrated on adjacent days: Saturday and Sunday. It is interesting that the liturgical time does not coincide with the historical one: the resurrection of Lazarus occurred a month or two before the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.

Now these two holidays are inextricably linked. They precede the events of Holy Week: the betrayal of Christ by Judas, suffering, crucifixion and the Resurrection of the Savior.

Traditions of Lazarus Saturday: how they celebrate and what they do

If we talk directly about what Lazarus Saturday is in Orthodoxy, and indeed in the Christian tradition, we can say that it is a memorable date that serves as a prerequisite for a great event - the Resurrection of Christ.

Therefore, it is considered especially important to pray for your health and the healing of family and friends from any ailments. Believers always strive to go to church. Moreover, in such a special environment it is much easier to feel the light waves and tune in to Easter, which will take place very soon - in a week.

What can you eat on Lazarus Saturday during Lent?

And we must not forget what Lazarus Saturday means from the point of view of Great Lent, which continues on this day. Traditional restrictions associated with eating meat remain.

However, on Lazarus Saturday it is allowed to eat fish caviar (up to 100 g), vegetable oil and wine. Hot food that has undergone heat treatment (boiled, baked, etc.), with vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200 g) is also allowed - twice a day. Wine is pure grape wine, without alcohol and sugar, mostly diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstinence from wine would be highly commendable.

Let's tell you in more detail about some other indulgences in fasting that you can afford the next day:

any dishes from river and sea fish;
baked goods with fish and vegetable filling;
buckwheat pancakes;
porridge and vegetable dishes with vegetable fat;
red wine.

As noted above, you are allowed to eat all this the next day - i.e. on Palm Sunday.

On Lazarevskaya Saturday you can enjoy buckwheat pancakes and porridge, as well as pea dishes. It is believed that if these products are on the table, the harvest of buckwheat and legumes will be rich.

As you know, the day after Lazarus Saturday comes Palm Sunday. But preparing for the celebration is no less pleasant than the bright day of the holiday itself. So in Rus', it was on the day of the Sabbath of Lazarus that they made mash, baked pancakes, and cooked porridge (buckwheat, manna, pumpkin).

Customs and signs of Lazarus Saturday in Orthodoxy

Not only many Russians, but also peoples of other countries consider themselves Orthodox. And they also consider it their duty to know what Lazarus Saturday means and how to properly spend this unusual day. Here are some interesting traditions and signs that have survived to this day:

It is customary for the Bulgarians, as well as the Gagauz (people living on the territory of modern Moldova), to carry out climbing. This is a very beautiful and cute ritual in its own way: little girls (7-12 years old) dress up beautifully and walk around the neighbors, singing Lazar songs. They take with them a basket into which the owners of the house generously put food. In many ways, this is reminiscent of our traditional carols. After the end of the ceremony, the singing girls divide the gifts equally and go home happy.
But in Cyprus, where the sun almost always shines, you can find a lot of palm branches (we use willows instead). They are torn down and carried throughout the city. Moreover, the residents organize a whole procession, headed by a little boy - he personifies Lazarus. Many children always take part in divine services in churches - on this Saturday they work almost on equal terms with the clergy.
On the evening of Lazarus Saturday, during the service, willow branches are blessed with holy water. It is no coincidence that there is a popular saying: “On the eve of Palm Sunday, Saint Lazarus climbed behind the willow tree.”
It was believed that if on Lazarus Saturday many “earrings” appeared on the willow (buds bloomed), then the whole year would be fruitful and rich in joy.
In Greece, they still bake special cookies called lazarchiki. It is made from rich, spicy dough and resembles little people wrapped in swaddling clothes - i.e. represents the resurrected Lazarus. The aroma of spicy pastries fills homes, which undoubtedly creates an interesting atmosphere for such a bright holiday as Lazarus Saturday.

What not to do on the Sabbath of Lazarus

It is useful to know not only what the holiday of Lazarus Saturday is, but also what exactly is not recommended to do on such a day. There are no specific prohibitions - in fact, people continue to carry out traditional duties. Someone will need to go to work, someone will need to clean the house. However, if possible, it is better to postpone things until later, and not engage in heavy physical labor at all. At the same time, it is not forbidden, for example, to visit the cemetery and clean up the graves.

Events of Lazarus Saturday

One of the four evangelists, the Apostle John the Theologian, writes about the resurrection of Lazarus.

Before going to the capital, Jerusalem, Christ came to the house of his friends in Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem. Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus lived in the house; here they more than once received the Savior as their dearest guest. Christ was brought here by sad news - his friend Lazarus had died.

While still on the way to the house of his deceased friend, Christ met Martha and asked her: “I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? To which Martha replied: “Lord! I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, coming into the world.”

Christ loved his friend very much and, approaching the tomb, where his body had been resting for four days, he began to cry. Together with his disciples, He approached the cave and told the people around him to roll away the stone blocking the entrance. To which Martha exclaimed that her brother was already “four days old” and stinking. Jesus reminded her of the conversation on the road to Bethany: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” And the stone was rolled away.

Standing in front of the open tomb, the Savior began to pray: “Father! I thank You that You heard Me. I knew that You would always hear Me; but I said [this] for the people standing here, so that they might believe that You sent Me. Having said this, He cried out with a loud voice: Lazarus! get out."

After Christ’s prayer, Lazarus came out of the cave, “wrapped hand and foot in burial cloths,” with his face wrapped in a scarf. Jesus commanded to untie him. John the Theologian writes that after seeing this miracle, many people believed that Christ was the Son of God.

And it was from this day, seeing the people’s love for Christ, that the Jewish hierarchy became frightened and conceived a terrible plan: “from this day they decided to kill Him.”

The Church reveres the resurrection of Lazarus as one of the most important, iconic miracles performed by Christ during His earthly journey. This is a symbol of the fact that everything is subject to the Lord - both life and death of a person. This is the hope that all who believe in Christ and fulfill His commandments will experience the resurrection. This miracle is evidence that the Lord loves each of us.

Relics of Saint Lazarus

In the city where Lazarus lived and served, a temple was erected. They placed it over the burial place of the righteous. He died in 63. When the bells are rung, the ringing spreads to all corners of the small town. A marble slab was installed over the tombstone, on it was written: “Lazarus, was dead for four days, brother of Jesus.”

When wars were fought and Cyprus was captured by Frankish troops, the relics of Lazarus were taken to Marseilles. The followers of Jesus and Lazarus were wise; they did not hand over all the remains to the military. For many years, no one knew about this.

In our time, not so distant in 1972, there was a fire in a temple in Cyprus. The icons on the iconostasis were burning. The weight of the top row has burned out. When the fire got close to the icon of Lazarus, the Lord stopped the fire. Thus, he gave a sign to the believers. The servants began repairs and began to restore the temple. Construction work was entrusted to Deacon Macarius. He dug up a tomb containing the remains of a saint. For so many centuries, only part of the inscription was preserved on it, and it meant “Brother” in translation. The remains were safely transferred to a special tomb, and are still kept in the Church of St. Lazarus. Many pilgrims have since visited the temple. Many miracles and healings were recorded.

Not everyone believed that it was Lazarus’ relics that were found. Scientists from the USA especially doubted this. In 1996, they were allowed to verify their authenticity. But when the scientists entered the temple, a miracle happened: all the icons depicting the righteous man and the tomb began to flow myrrh, and there was a wonderful smell in the temple. As a result, it was concluded that these were indeed the relics of the saint.

The old temple was reconstructed. To the left of the temple altar is an icon of the Mother of God, to the right is the entrance to the cave. The relics of the saint are kept in it. The location of the dungeon is such that the tomb is located directly under the altar of the temple. It contains part of the relics, the second in Marseille.

Everyone really wants to touch the shrine. This place is proof of the goodness of the Lord. After all, he resurrected the deceased, thereby showing that he was powerful, and death was subject to him.

Righteous Lazarus

Lazarus is also called “Lazarus of the Four Days” and “friend of God.” As church tradition says, after the resurrection, Lazarus lived another 30 years and became the Bishop of Kition - he served on the island of Cyprus, in the city of Kition (now Larnaca).

It was in this city that in 890 the holy relics of Bishop Lazarus were found. They lay in a marble ark, on which was written: “Lazarus the Fourth Day, friend of Christ.” A little later, under Emperor Leo the Wise in 898, the relics of Lazarus were transferred to Constantinople, where they were placed in a temple in the name of Righteous Lazarus. At the end of the 9th - beginning of the 10th century, the Church of St. Lazarus was built over the tomb of Lazarus in Larnaca. In 1972, a marble shrine containing human remains was discovered in this temple, which were identified as the relics of St. Lazarus, which were probably not completely taken to Constantinople

Saint Lazarus, life story

Lazarus lived near Jerusalem, in the town of Bethany. He was the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus called him his brother, his best friend. (John 11:3,6,11). Lazarus was sick and died. The Savior mourned him for a long time, and resurrected him on the fourth day. It was impossible to be near the deceased; there was a terrible stench.

Immediately after returning to this world, Lazarus left his hometown and settled in Cyprus. He was forced to do this, the local priests wanted to kill him. He was approximately 30 years of age. Somewhere in the year 45, the righteous Paul and Barnabas arrived on the island with the purpose of preaching the Word of God. Here they met with Lazarus and Mark, and appointed the righteous one to the post of bishop. Lazarus ruled the Kitian community for 18 years.

When Lazar, after a long journey, ascended to the island and wandered around the city in search of housing, he became very thirsty. He never found water, and was forced to ask the owner of one of the houses for some grapes. She said that she had no grapes, there was a terrible drought this year, and nothing was harvested. Lazarus became angry and answered her: “For your lies, you will only have a salt lake, and not a vineyard.” Today, tourists and believers who arrive on the island are shown this lake. Nowadays, local residents gladly receive guests.

When Lazar assumed the position of bishop, the Mother of God came to him and gave him a very expensive gift, an omophorion, which she made herself. She traveled a long way before she reached Cyprus. Together with the apostles she found herself in a terrible storm. The Lord directed the ship to Mount Athos. Subsequently, a monastery was founded there.

After Lazarus returned to life, he preached and helped people for another 30 years. He died in Cyprus.

Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca in Cyprus

After the miracle of resurrection, righteous Lazarus lived another 30 years. He became a bishop in the city of Kition (now Larnaca) on the island of Cyprus. After his death, the relics of the saint were placed in a marble ark, on which was written: “Lazarus the Fourth Day, friend of Christ.”

In the 9th century, the Byzantine emperor Leo the Wise ordered the relics of Lazarus to be transferred to Constantinople. And in the city of Kition (Larnaca) a temple was built in honor of the righteous Lazarus. It was erected on the very tomb of the saint. Now Christians from all over the world come on pilgrimage to the temple.

The Church of Righteous Lazarus was built around 890. The English consul in Syria, Alexander Drumond, who visited Cyprus in 1745, enthusiastically wrote about the building: “I have never seen anything like it!”

The iconostasis of the temple is made of wood; it is an example of the most skillful carving. The church houses several ancient Byzantine icons. Directly below the iconostasis there is a small church carved into the rock; steps lead into it from the right side of the iconostasis. Inside are two sarcophagi. Lazarus was once buried in one of them.

A marble ark with the relics of Lazarus was discovered in 1972 in this very temple; scientists examined them in detail and confirmed their authenticity. Apparently, the saint’s relics were not completely taken to Constantinople in the 9th century.

Now around the temple you can still see some of the buildings of the monastery that existed here many years ago. One of them now houses a museum. There is also a small cemetery on the territory of the church.

The Raising of Lazarus. Icons

The Gospel story of the Resurrection of the Righteous Lazarus is one of the earliest images to appear in Christian fine art. Probably, the iconographic tradition of this Resurrection of Lazarus developed before the celebration of this gospel event. This plot is already present in the earliest Christian monuments that have survived to this day, in particular, in the paintings of the catacombs and the reliefs of sarcophagi.

The resurrection of righteous Lazarus. Fresco of the Giordani catacombs. Rome, IV century.

It is quite logical that the catacomb frescoes and reliefs are associated with the theme of resurrection from the dead, victory over death. It was important for the artists to express faith in liberation from original sin and the corruption and death associated with it. The plot of the Raising of Lazarus points to a future general resurrection, so it was often depicted in burial places.

The Raising of Lazarus. Miniature of the Gospel from Rossano. Diocesano Museum, Italy, 6th century.

In the early monuments of Christian art, the Resurrection of Righteous Lazarus is presented laconically, as a two-figure scene. Images of Christ during this period begin to take shape; the Savior is depicted with a beard and long hair, as well as a beardless youth. In Christ’s hand there is a light cane - an attribute of a miracle worker, a symbol of the miracles being performed, understandable to the people of that time. Over time, the cane transforms into a short rod, and then disappears altogether. God does not need an instrument to perform a miracle; His own will is sufficient. In addition, the images acquire evangelical accuracy; the text of the Gospel of John clearly indicates the Savior’s appeal to God the Father and quotes His words “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:41-43), there are no other details of the process of performing the miracle.

Artists from the eastern provinces of the empire depicted the tomb as it looked, that is, as a cave in the rocks. Gradually, the composition on the tombs is filled with details. The sisters Martha and Mary are depicted, the Jews opening the tomb, and a man removing the shrouds from the resurrected Lazarus.

Miracle of the Resurrection of Lazarus. Fresco of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Snetogorsk Monastery. Pskov, 1313

The Raising of Lazarus. Fragment of an icon from the festive rite of the iconostasis of the Novgorod St. Sophia Cathedral. OK. 1341 Raising of Lazarus. From the festive rite of the Church of the Assumption in the village of Volotovo near Novgorod. 1470–1480

The Raising of Lazarus. Icon from the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. 2nd half of the 15th century. Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.

The Raising of Lazarus. From the festive rite of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, Moscow. Beginning of the 15th century (1410s?)

The Raising of Lazarus. Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Second quarter of the 15th century. Sergiev Posad Museum

The Raising of Lazarus. Comes from the festive row of the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral of the Great Tikhvin Monastery. 1560s. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

The Raising of Lazarus. Icon from the festive rite of the iconostasis of the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Yaroslavl. 1640s. Yaroslavl Historical, Architectural and Art Museum Reserve

Chants of Lazarus Saturday

Troparion, tone 1:

Assuring the general resurrection before Your passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. In the same way, we, like the children of victory who bear signs of victory, cry out to you, the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Translation: As a confirmation of the general resurrection before Your suffering, You, Christ God, raised Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, we, like children, with symbols of victory in our hands, exclaim to You, the conqueror of death: Hosanna in Heaven! Blessed is He who walks in the name of the Lord!

Stichera for Vespers on Friday, tone 8:

Having completed the soul-beneficial Forty Day and the Holy Week of Thy Passion, we ask you to see, O Lover of Mankind, to glorify Thy greatness in it, and Thy indescribable sight for us, singing with one wisdom: Lord, glory to Thee.

Translation: Having completed a forty-day fast that is beneficial to the soul, we ask, O Lover of Mankind, {to allow us to see the holy week of Your suffering, so that during it we can glorify Your great deeds and Your unspeakable care for us, singing with one mind: Lord, glory to You!

Prayers and akathist to Saint Lazarus and his resurrection

Troparion and Kontakion Prayers to Saint Lazarus and his resurrection Akathist to Saint Lazarus Lazarus Saturday

Troparion and Kontakion

Troparion for the resurrection of righteous Lazarus

Assuring the general resurrection before Your passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Likewise, we, like the youths of victory who bear signs of victory, cry out to You, the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Troparion of Righteous Lazarus of the Four Days, Tone 4

How great is the treasure and wealth that came to us stealthily from Cyprus, Lazarus, by the providence of all God, by the command of the pious king, giving free healing to those who honor you, delivering from troubles and from all harm, by faith crying out to you: save everyone with your prayers, Lazarus our father.

Kontakion of the Righteous Lazarus of the Four Days

Arise, like a bright star, from Cyprus your honorable relics, Lazarus, the Reigning City, sanctifying and cheering the Christ-loving king and enriching their people, giving you the grace of healing, faithfully calling to you: Rejoice, Lazarus, friend of God.

PRAYERS TO SAINT LAZARUS AND HIS RESURRECTION

Prayer to Lazarus' Resurrection

Lord Jesus Christ, God, our Savior, inexhaustible abyss of mercy, generosity and love, who did not create death and sin, and who, even in paradise, was determined by our ancestor to be an eternal and holy and blessed life to be partakers of! When, through the action of the devil, the murderer of mankind from time immemorial, one man brought sin into the world and death by sin, then, by Your ineffable love for mankind, You determined by Your Cross and Resurrection to free Your sinners from the abyss of hell and eternal death. And when the fulfillment of times came, You descended in the days of Your flesh, as the Good Shepherd, to seek Your lost sheep, and before Your Cross and free passion You came to Bethany, You, with a single word from Lazarus, Your friend, died and buried, calling out from hell , you raised from the dead. And so with this great and terrible miracle before Your life-giving death You shook the mortal power, foreshadowing Your four-day uprising, the imminent, Three-day Resurrection of the dead, O Life-Giving Christ, You assured us all that You want to destroy the dark kingdom of hell with Your strength and reveal the general Resurrection of all, showing Lazarus, as the restoration of our existence is a saving destiny. For this reason, let us now, unworthy, with Martha and Mary, now rejoice brightly and with Bethany, let us triumph, Thy immeasurable condescension is now celebrated, and with Thy tears over Lazarus, the future quenching of tears and the mortification of death joyfully begins. Grant to all of us with pure souls and untainted minds, a meek heart and a humble disposition, with Bethany, to accept You, the meek Master, and crush the evil one’s pride, and open the entrances of our hearts, so that with faith, like Mary, we will anoint the world of the most pure love Yours, and with all the zeal of many, like Martha, let us serve You, tasting Your Most Pure Body and Your Most Honest Blood at Your Mystical Supper, at which lie with us and exude for us valuable prayers of ointment, and tears of repentance, and the fragrance of chastity and purity, yes Thus, beautified and enlightened, let us hear Your announcement: “Behold, I stand at the door and talk,” and according to Your voice, let us open the doors of our hearts and create an abode for You, serving You and glorifying You with Your Beginning Father and Your Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to the holy righteous Lazarus

Oh, very admirable and great friend of Christ, the Holy Righteous One praised Lazarus, Bethany and great surprise to the whole universe! Blessed is your house, which our Lord Jesus Christ visited in the days of His flesh with love, seeing the faith and kindness of your soul and your God-loving sisters Martha and Mary, since you have loved Him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your thought, and thus You were ultimately beloved. Wonderful are your secrets, revealed to you by your Divine Friend and our Lord, as if He deigned, before His Cross and Resurrection, to show His Glory to the whole world and to create you as the forerunner of His most glorious Resurrection from the dead. For this sake, for the sake of She, who is the Lord of life and death, let you fall asleep in the sleep of death, and be buried, and even dream down to the depths of hell, where you have seen those who have died from the ages in countless numbers of hellish contents, and you have seen terrible fears. And there, when your body had already surrendered to mortal remorse, after four days you heard the Divine voice of your Friend who came to your grave: “Lazarus, come out!” And at this voice you arose from the grave, and thus you brought joy to Bethany, and you quenched the tears of Marfina and Mary, and you frightened the Pharisees and scribes in the hardness of their hearts. Soothe, holy friend of Christ, our tears, the sin we shed for our sake, revive our souls and bodies, in the subversion of the passions and impurities of sinful existence, raise us from the grave of despair and fierce despondency, and deliver us all from eternal death, just like you Our Lord raise us from the dormition of death. And beg the merciful God to grant us to be partakers of eternal life, in which you, through the labors of the priesthood on the island of Kritstem, now enjoy yourself in the abodes of paradise, glorifying the All-Holy Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Akathist to the Resurrection of Lazarus

How to read the akathist correctly

Kontakion 1

Chosen by the Voivod and of hell to the Victor, You, as if you had victory over death, raised Lazarus of the Four Days from the dead, and You showed joy, light and resurrection to everyone; For the sake of Thy unworthiness, we offer thanksgiving for the sake of condescension; we cry out to Thee from the bottom of our hearts: Jesus, who raised Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Ikos 1

The angelic powers came in joyful trembling, in vain, Sweetest Jesus, Your coming to Bethany, where You, not having anywhere to bow your head and persecuted everywhere by the malice of the Jews, You always found, through the labors of the gospel, peace of mind, peace, love and silence from Your friend Lazarus, You yourself loved him to the end with his sisters Martha and Mary, as they always serve You with faith and love, listening to Your Word at Your feet. We remember such philanthropic condescension of Yours, with a tender heartfelt cry to You: Jesus, Eternal Love, who stooped to the end to love man. Jesus, Immeasurable Mercy, received Lazarus and his sister into His love. Jesus, the blessed house of Lazarus in the days of His flesh visited with love. Jesus, with Your Divine Word the souls that love You are filled with sweetness and much satiation. Jesus, Bethany, the fatherland of Lazarus, you have chosen as your resting place. Jesus, great deeds of power and love were revealed before Your Cross. Jesus, having raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the sisters of the righteous Lazarus, Martha and Mary, as if their brother was suffering greatly from a severe illness, not giving in to despondency, not falling into despair, but to You, Lord, Healer of ailments, with sweet hope, saying with faith: “Lord, this one that you love, hurts.” " Let us follow this, and in every situation let us not give in to despondency, but let us cry out to You with hope: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Your disciples have a pure mind, O Lord, but they did not understand why you did not go to Bethany to your friend Lazarus to heal him, when you received the news about his severe illness, but you declared to those who came from Martha and Mary: “This disease does not lead to death.” , but to the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified for her sake.” Now, knowing that You wanted to reveal the hidden depths of faith and love, and to perform a greater miracle before Your suffering, we call with love: Jesus, full of love, test the hearts of the holy sisters of Lazarus who love You, O All-Good Jesus, sick brother to the hope of the great Glory of God Convert them, Jesus, great in His miracles, although over Lazarus He would reveal His Glory to the whole world. Jesus, wondrous in His counsel, who set forth in Bethany to accomplish His greatness, Jesus, who did not create death, to the grieving sisters of Lazarus not to be afraid of the death of their brother, commanded Jesus, who will come to death by will. , to the doubting disciples, show victory over death to the desiring Jesus, who raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection

Kontakion 3

Knowing by the power of Your Divinity that You must before Your Cross, O All-Good Lord, show Your power over Lazarus, so that those who are with You will not be afraid of Your suffering and will understand from the dead Your Resurrection. For this reason, having heard that Lazarus, Your friend, was in pain, You did not hasten to heal him, but remained in the same place for two days, so that his God-loving sisters, even in the face of the death of their brother, would remain burning with faith and love, singing to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having Divine foreknowledge, O All-Good Lord, You declared to Your disciples: “We are going to Judea again,” and then: “Lazarus our friend has succeeded, but I am going, so that I will awaken him.” Whenever the disciples did not understand, thinking that they were talking about the end of his sleep, then you declared without hesitation: “Lazarus is dead. And I rejoice for your sake, that you believe, for we did not flee there, but go to him.” Then Thomas, seeing that the disciples were afraid to go to Judea, as now I was already seeking the Jews to stone Thee, boldly spoke to them: “Let us also go, that we may die with Him,” teaching us to follow You without fear and chant thus: Jesus , friend Lazarus, the one who is coming will raise up your friend from the dormition of death. Jesus, Bethany was praised, and all Lazarus brought joy and resurrection. Jesus, Lyuba Ineffable, heard the crying and sobs of the Lazarev sisters. Jesus, Infinite Mercy, deigned to revive your lifeless sheep. Jesus, buried with Lazarus in Bethany, bury my fierce sins. Jesus, with Martha’s and Mary’s tears, accept heavy sighs for my sins. Jesus, having raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 4

I storm inside with doubtful thoughts, Martha and Mary bitterly shed tears over the tomb of Lazarus, remembering with sorrow your promise, as Lazarus’ illness is not for death, but for the glory of God, having been deprived of the former hope, seeing his brother’s presence in the tomb and his body is destroyed and stinks. But You, Lord, walking about the land of the Jordan, spoke to Your disciples: They rejoice, my friends, for your sake, as if they were not there, but they knew that I can do everything, this God. Let us therefore go to revive him, so that death may actually feel this victory and complete destruction, so that you may sing with all the faithful: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

When the holy righteous Martha heard that You, Lord, were coming to Bethany, Lazarus, who had already been in the tomb for four days, went out to meet You, but Mary sat at home, and said to You, seeking consolation: “Lord, if you were here, you would not my brother died. But even now we know that if you ask God for anything, God will give it to you.” Having seen this faith of the sorrowful sister of Lazarus in her great sorrow, with tenderness in our souls we call to You: Jesus, directing Your steps to the four-day-old dead man, visit me too in the tomb of my present despair. Jesus, who came to Bethany to receive your sorrowing sisters into your love, receive also me who is lost. Jesus, who comforted Martha through His difficult conversation, comfort me about the sins of the grieving one. Jesus, Mary, who sat at home with hope and did not forget, do not forget me, who fell into despondency. Jesus, death, which begins to tremble, and who has frightened you by your coming to Bethany, do not deliver me over to eternal death. Jesus, bitter hell through the trampling of Your feet, those coming to Bethany, filled with fear, deliver me from the torments of hell. Jesus, having raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 5

More godly than the star that dispels the darkness of the night, Thy prophecy, O Lord, which, as the Lord of life and death, was spoken by Thou to Martha, saying: “Your brother will rise again.” But she, still weak in faith, hesitant to believe that her brother can now, according to Your word, rise from the dead, said to You: “We know that He will rise again in the resurrection, on the last day.” We are unworthy of You, the Conqueror of death, crying out in faith: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing how the heart of Saint Martha, struck with sadness over the death of Lazarus, cannot yet believe that even now, Lord, You are able to raise him from the dead, You spoke with authority, as if you commanded life and death, wanting to awaken her from such cowardice : “I am the Resurrection and the Belly. Believe in Me, even if you die, you will live.” We, heeding this Divine promise, and desiring to gain the eternal life, with hope we call to Thee: Jesus, who came to Bethany to preach the Resurrection, raise me up in the passion of all that has decayed. Jesus, who foretold the resurrection of Lazarus to Martha, call me from my many sins, who have grown stale. Jesus, having renewed Martha’s faith in the Resurrection, renew my soul, deadened by sins. Jesus, having called us all to have hope for the dead, enlighten our lives darkened by passions. Jesus, possess the living and the dead, do not give me up to a bitter death in the underworld and possess me forever. Jesus, who has given us eternal life, grant me the blessed inheritance in heaven to receive. Jesus, having raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 6

Saint Martha, the preacher of Thy Divinity, appeared in her confession to Peter, Thy Supreme Apostle, equal: for this, when it was asked of Thee, whether he has faith, that everyone who believes in Thee, even if he dies, will live, saying to Thee: “Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” We listen to this confession with reverence, with faith and love, crying out to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

A new light of faith and hope arose from the holy and righteous Mary, who was sitting at home in sorrow, when her sister Martha came to her and secretly from the Jews who came to console her, told her about Your coming, Holy Lord, saying: “The Teacher has come to eat and speaks to you.” " The same one, hearing this, arose and soon came fallen, bowed to You and kissed Your most pure feet and sought consolation, saying to You with tears: “Jesus, Master of life, if You were here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus, the Destroyer of Death, if you had come, Lazarus would not have been lying in the tomb for four days. Jesus, Good Comforter, comfort my soul in sorrow. Jesus, Good Teacher, teach me to do Your will. Jesus, Teacher of the hopeless, instruct me to bear my cross with hope and patience. Jesus, Refuge of the orphans, allow me to find Your peace at Your feet in my sorrow. Jesus, Lazarus, who raised from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 7

Who wanted to pour out at Your feet all her feelings about Lazarus’s deprivation and love for You, Lord, but when You saw her crying, and the Jews who came with her weeping, You were saddened in spirit and You were indignant, showing humanity, and You Yourself, and we too, shed tears. In our weakness, in our sorrows, having boldly fallen to You, we pour out our tears in our weakness from the depths of our souls, and with tenderness we cry out to You, who has shed tears about our sorrows: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You showed new and ineffable condescension and extreme love for mankind, Sweetest Jesus, when Mary’s tears were in vain, you yourself shed tears. The Jews of Netia, seeing how they wept for Lazarus, said: “See how much you love him.” Friends, being in the petrification of souls and hearts, did not want to understand Your Divine compassion in our weakness, I think You yourself were weak and said to Your ridicule: “Could not this One, who opened the eyes of the blind, create, so that even this one would not die.” Glorifying Your love for mankind, we cry out to You from the bottom of our hearts: Jesus, tears flowing from his sister for Lazarus, cleanse my sins with streams of tears. Jesus, quenching Marfina’s and Mary’s tears, quench my sorrows with Your weeping. Jesus, do not break the broken reed, the God-created temple of my soul within me. Jesus, do not extinguish the smoking flax, do not extinguish the burning lamp of faith and love in me. Jesus, long-suffering, suffering through our weaknesses even to the end, strengthen me in my weakness. Jesus, the lover of mankind, even to the point of sorrow for us and to the point of tears, he condescended to snatch me away with eternal weeping. Jesus, having raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 8

Strange is your question, O Christ the Savior, when to all those crying, you asked about Lazarus: “Where will you lay him?” For, as God knows everything, you predicted his death, how can now, the abyss of knowledge, not know where he is buried? have a friend of yours? However, now you are asking not an ignorant one, but like a man, speaking humanly, to console Lazarus’s grieving sisters and for this reason to visit his tomb. Such humane condescension is glorifying; we sing to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All this is Love, all this is our desire, Lord Jesus, You, having come to the tomb of Lazarus, still harboring within yourself about the hard-heartedness of those who were there, You commanded to take the stone from the tomb, so that the lips of the infidels would be blocked by the remorse of death. Martha, again demonstrating the weakness of human nature, says to You: “Lord, it already stinks, for it is four-day old.” Moreover, You again strengthened her in her cowardice, saying: “Have you not decided that if you believe, you will see the Glory of God?” Mary, seeing the stone rolled away from the tomb, remained in trembling hope, keeping faith in silence, and saying in her heart: Jesus, who came to the tomb of Lazarus’s friend, cleanse my mind from the doubts of the unbelievers. Jesus, who desires to reveal the Glory of God, keep my heart from evil lusts. Jesus, I commanded you to roll away the stone from the tomb of Lazarus; roll away the stone of cruelty from the tomb of my soul. Jesus, you who have terrified all the powers of hell with the words of Your mouth, do not frighten me with the appearance of Your promised Glory. Most Meek Jesus, who meekly presented himself at the tomb of Lazarus, grant me with a meek soul to sense Your coming. Sweetest Jesus, having seen the stinking dead man in the tomb, grant me with a humble disposition to behold Your grace. Jesus, having raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 9

The whole angelic nature was dismayed when You, Wonderworker Lord, revealing Your Glory as the Only Begotten of the Father, in the face of a multitude of people, You gave praise to the Heavenly Father, saying: “Father, I thank You, for You have heard Me,” and this river, with a great voice You cried out: “Lazarus, come out,” and when the lifeless one listened to Your command, he was animated from death and rose from death, and from here we covered our hands and feet, and behold this miracle, all the knees of heaven and earth and the underworld will bow to You, the Conqueror of death, crying out: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The orations of God's words, even if they speak a lot, will not be able to worthily glorify Your great and terrible miracle, O Lord, when You raised up Lazarus of the Four Days from the dead, and Martha and Mary, and with them, you established all of us in the faith and hope of the Resurrection and the immortality of our souls. For this reason, many of the Jews came to Mary, having seen what You had done in Bethany, believing in You as the Son of God and joyfully bringing You praises: Jesus, you raised Lazarus from the dead of the Four Days, and resurrected me who died through passions. Jesus, Thy friend is bound by the bonds of the Lord, and I am bound by the bonds of sin. Jesus, free the stinking dead man from the grave, and bring me out of the grave of despair. Jesus, snatched away my beloved lamb from the pits of hell, and save me from eternal pitch darkness. Jesus, by the command of Your life-giving voice, raised up the stinking, and revived me, corrupted by passions, with Your Word. Jesus, by Your omnipotent strength You raised up Lazarus of the Four Days, and show me the companion of Your three-day Resurrection. Jesus, Lazarus, who raised from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 10

Thou didst desire to save all, O Christ the Savior, both the sons of darkness, seeing the dead Lazarus, having risen from corruption by Thy voice, not wanting to believe in Thee in the hardness of their hearts, and not even from them went to the high priest and the Pharisees, and told them what Thou hast done. You are in Bethany. We do not give in to their madness, but believe in the general Resurrection according to Your promise, to You, the Life-Giver and our Savior, crying out loudly: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Most Holy King, Jesus! The stone walls firmly stood as the high priestess of Judaism, when she heard what a terrible miracle you had done in Bethany, and took advice from you, saying: “What shall we do, for this man does many signs.” There is only one of them, Caiaphas, the bishop of that year, who said that one man will die for his people, and not the whole language will perish. And from this day they conferred, that they might kill Thee, their Christ and Master, together with Lazarus, as for his sake many came from the Jews and believed in Thee. For this reason we cry out to thee: Jesus, Immortal Son of God, for the sake of Lazarus, like a gentle lamb prepared for the slaughter. Jesus, our Savior, judged by men, involuntarily foretold to die for men by Caiaphas. Jesus, who was condemned to death at the lawless assembly together with Lazarus, do not condemn us at Your judgment. Jesus, in faithful Bethany, in the house of Lazarus, having turned sorrow into joy, remember us in Thy Kingdom. Jesus, who completed the purpose of the Cross in Bethany, save us by the power of Your Cross. Jesus, who frightened the flattering Pharisees with his miracles, made us glad by the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus, having raised Lazarus from the dead before Your Passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 11

Let the faithful and beloved Bethany bring to You, O Christ our Savior, all-contrite singing, for You have turned her sorrow, Lazarus, her upbringing from the grave into joy, and let her not lament, for for a short time You have gone to Ephraim, the condemned city near the desert, where you walked with your disciples, who gave the commandment to the high priest, that they may have you. We, marveling at Your disciples before the suffering of Your care, sing to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The great and ineffable light of Hosea Bethany, when before the six days of Easter You came again to all this, Sweetest Jesus, where those who loved You gave You a glorious supper, Remembering the resurrection of Lazarus with joy and thanksgiving. Be that and Lazarus are one of those reclining, Martha served You with much love, and Mary, out of an abundance of joy, love and gratitude, having received a liter of pure spikenard peace, was of great value, anointed with Thy most pure noses, and I wiped my hair with my hair, and the whole temple was filled from the stench of incense. We are not worthy, but we desire to penetrate into the joy of these blessed companions of Yours, with the tenderness of many we cry out to You like this: Jesus, having shared a meal with the risen dead, let me enjoy Your eternal supper in heaven. Jesus, having filled Lazarus with heavenly joy after his resurrection, make me worthy to think heavenly thoughts on earth. Jesus, industrious Martha is already the second to serve You at the supper, accept me into Your service. Jesus, Mary, burning with God's love, vouchsafe to anoint Your nose with myrrh, give me a burning spirit of love. Jesus, to Bethany, you greatly rejoiced at the supper by your strange hospitality, and in the midst of my labors you rejoiced with rest. Jesus, Martha’s tears and Mary’s lament, quickly consoled by Lazarus’ uprising, comfort me in my sorrows with Your visit, Jesus, raised Lazarus from the dead before Your Passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 12

You bestowed great grace, O Christ, through the resurrection of Lazarus, more blessed than the Bethany weight that received You. In the morning you are met with cross, slander, and reproaches from the evil Pharisees, breathing envy, in Jerusalem, but here you found love, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit before the cross. For this reason, may eternal praise be to you, Bethany, for you have been honored as the Creator of the Acceptance of Strangers: prepare yourself well, adorn your entrances divinely, widen your vestibule, and you and I will sing to the Lord who glorified you: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing Your Lazarus resurrection from the dead, we worship the greatness of Your deeds, O Christ, we glorify Your sovereignty and extreme condescension with Your ineffable love for mankind, and we believe with Martha that truly You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who is coming into the world, and with Mary let us sit at Your foot , listening to the only needy Divine Word of Yours, and grant us through the prayers of the righteous Lazarus, Your friend, to see Your bright victory over death, and Your life-giving Resurrection to those crying out to You like this: Jesus, hella Conqueror, with Lazarus of the Four Days, bring me out of the utter darkness of sin. Jesus, Death Destroyer, with Your friend who died, again call me to life and resurrection. Jesus, you saved Lazarus on the island of Crete from the wickedness of the Pharisees, save me through your destinies. Jesus, where the Apostle ordained him as a bishop, do not separate me from Thy Church. Jesus, also hand-woven omophorion of the Mother of God, preserve me under Her roof. Jesus, Lazarus, who was worthy of the visitation of the Most Pure One in the days of Her flesh, do not deprive me of that intercession, Jesus, who raised Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, show us Your Resurrection.

Kontakion 13

Oh, Sweetest Jesus, Joy of all, Quiet Light, Life of the world and our Resurrection! Accept from us, as from Martha and Mary, this small thanksgiving of ours for the Resurrection of Lazarus, offered to You with all our souls, and create for us the community of that life from the tomb of rebellion, and by Your omnipotent Word raise us up from every fall of sin and eternal death, and make us worthy to receive an unfading inheritance in heaven, where with all the saints let us sing to You: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Ikos 1

Kontakion 1

Apostolic reading of Lazarus Saturday

Message from the Ap. Paul to Hebrews 12:28 – 13:8

Brothers, having received an unshakable kingdom, let us hold on to grace, which we will serve pleasingly to God, with reverence and fear, because our God is also a consuming fire.

May brotherly love remain among you. Do not forget hospitality, for through it some, unknowingly, showed hospitality to angels. Remember the prisoners, as if you were in bonds with them, and the suffering, as if you yourself were in the body. Let marriage be honest in everything, and the bed undefiled; For God will judge the fornicators and adulterers. Have a non-money-loving disposition, being content with what you have. For He Himself said: I will not leave you nor forsake you,” so we boldly say: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid: what will man do to me? (Ps 118:6)

Remember your teachers who preached the word of God to you, and, considering the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Gospel reading of Lazarus Saturday

Gospel of John 11:1-45

[At that time] a certain Lazarus from Bethany, from the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived, was sick. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with myrrh and wiped His feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters sent to tell Him: “Lord! Behold, the one You love is sick.”

Hearing this, Jesus said: “This sickness is not for death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. And when he heard that Lazarus was sick, He remained for two days in the place where He was.

After this He says to the disciples: “Let us go again to Judea.” The disciples said to Him: “Rabbi! How long have the Jews been looking to stone You, and You are going there again?” Jesus answered: “Are there not twelve hours in the day? He who walks by day does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world; but whoever walks at night stumbles, because there is no light in him.” Having said this, he then said to them: “Lazarus, our friend, fell asleep; but I am going to wake him up.”

The Raising of Lazarus. Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1896

His disciples said: “Lord! If he falls asleep, he will recover.” Jesus spoke about his death, but they thought that He was talking about a simple dream. Then Jesus said to them directly: “Lazarus is dead; and I rejoice for you that I was not there, so that you might believe; but let’s go to him.” Then Thomas, otherwise called the Twin, said to the disciples: “Come and we will die with Him.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that he had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs away; and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to console them in their grief about their brother. Martha, hearing that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him; Maria was sitting at home. Then Martha said to Jesus: “Lord! If You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask God for, God will give You.”

Jesus tells her: “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him: “I know that he will rise again on the resurrection, on the last day.” Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? She says to Him: “Yes, Lord! I believe that You are the Messiah (Christ), the Son of God, Coming into the world.”

Having said this, she went and called Mary, her sister, saying secretly: “The Teacher is here and is calling you.” As soon as she heard, she quickly got up and went to Him. Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was at the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house and consoled her, seeing that Mary hastily got up and left, followed her, believing that she was going to the tomb to cry there. And Mary, coming to where Jesus was and seeing Him, fell at His feet and said to Him: “Lord! If You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Jesus, when he saw her crying and the weeping Jews who came with her, was grieved in spirit and became agitated, and said: “Where have you laid him?” They say to Him: “Lord! Come and see." Jesus shed tears. The Jews then said: “Look how He loved him.” And some of them said: “Couldn’t He, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have ensured that this one would not die?”

Jesus, again indignant in Himself, comes to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone closed it. Jesus says, “Take a stone.” The sister of the deceased, Martha, said to Him: “Lord! It already stinks; for it is already four days.” Jesus says to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Then they took the stone, and Jesus looked up and said: “Father! Thank You that You heard Me. I knew that You would always hear Me; But I said this for the sake of the people standing around, so that they might believe that You sent Me.”

Having said this, He cried out in a loud voice: “Lazarus, come out!”

And the dead man came out, entwined on his hands and feet with burial cloths, and his face was tied with a scarf. Jesus says to them: “Untie him, let him go.” Then many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus had done believed in Him.

On the way to Bethany and Jerusalem

For six days before Lazarus Saturday, the church service gives us, as it were, to follow Christ in the days when He first announces the death of his friend Lazarus, and then begins his ascent to Bethany and Jerusalem. The general tone and theme of this week is given to us at Vespers on the 5th Sunday of Great Lent:

As we diligently begin the sixth week of the honest fasts, let us bring the pre-festive hymn to the Lord: to the one who comes in glory, by the power of the Divine in Jerusalem, put death to death. Moreover, let us piously prepare victorious images, virtuous branches, hosannas crying out to the Creator of all. With zeal, beginning the sixth week of Great Lent, let us, believers, offer pre-festive hymns to the Lord, who is coming in divine glory and power to Jerusalem to put to death...(I cried out the stichera to the Lord..)

The focus is on Lazarus - his illness, death, the grief of his family and how Christ perceives all this.

On Monday we hear about the illness of Lazarus: Today the illness of Lazarus appears to Christ, as he walks in the land of the Jordan, and as a seer, he says: this illness is now leading to death. Today, to Christ, walking along the other side of the Jordan, the illness of Lazarus is revealed, and He says, like a prophet: “This illness now does not lead to death.” (From the song of the ninth of the Three Songs on Monday of the 6th week)

On Tuesday Vay: Yesterday and today Lazarev’s illness, this is what relatives reveal to Christ. With joy, Bethany, prepare to entertain the Giver of Life and the King, who cry with us: Lord, glory to Thee. Yesterday and today Lazarus is in illness, the family declares to Christ. With joy, Bethany, prepare to receive the Giver and King of life as a guest, exclaiming with us: “Lord, glory to Thee.” (Sedalen on the third verse on Tuesday morning of the 6th week)

On Wednesday Vay: Today Lazarus, who died, is buried, and his relatives sing the lament, like a seer and God, the passion you foretold: Lazarus succeeded, preaching as a disciple, but now I go to resurrect him who created him. For this reason we all cry out to You: glory to the power of Your strength. Today the deceased Lazarus is buried, and his relatives sing funeral songs. You, God and Seer, predicted Your Suffering, saying to your disciples: “Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I am coming to resurrect the one I created.” Therefore, we all cry to You: “Glory to the might of Your strength.” (Sedalen on the third verse at Matins on Wednesday of the 6th week)

On Thursday Vaiy: Today Lazarus, who died, celebrates his triumph... Today it is already two days since Lazarus died... The Lord is coming to cast all his lot, as it is written: people, prepare with fear to receive the King of all with Vaiy, as the conqueror of death, who raised Lazarus from hell. The Lord is coming to enter, as the scripture says, on a colt. Get ready, people, to respectfully receive the King of all, greeting him with flowers, like the death of the victor who raised Lazarus from hell. (From the song of the ninth three-song on Thursday of the 6th week)

And finally on Friday: Tomorrow Christ comes to revive the dead brother (Martha and Mary) with a verb... Tomorrow Christ comes to raise his brother (Martha and Mary) from the dead...

Thus, throughout the week we spiritually contemplate Christ's coming encounter with death—first with the death of his friend Lazarus, and then with His own death. The hour of the Son of Man is approaching, about which He spoke so often and towards which all His ministry on earth was directed.

The resurrection of Lazarus, the amazing celebration of this only Saturday, already outside the Holy Pentecost (the 40 days of fasting have ended) - we continue to fast in worship of the Passion of Christ. On Friday, the day before, we sing:

Having completed the soul-fulfilling Fourties, and the Holy Week of Your Passion, we ask you to see, O Lover of Mankind, to glorify in it Your greatness, and Your ineffable care for us, with one wisdom, singing: Lord, glory to You. Having completed the spiritually rewarding Pentecost, we ask you to behold Your holy week of suffering, O Lover of Mankind, in order to glorify Your greatness in its days, and Your ineffable plan for us, singing with one mind: “Lord, glory to You!”

In liturgical terms, Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday are already the “beginning of the Cross.” The last week of Great Lent is, in essence, a continuous pre-celebration of these days, and therefore the last revelation of the meaning of Great Lent. Until the Sunday of the Cross, the Church calls us to focus on our own soul, calls us to fight the flesh and passions, evil and other sins. But even while we do this, the Church constantly calls us to rush forward, to measure and base our achievement on “something better” that awaits us ahead. Then, after the Sunday of the Cross, the focus of the Lenten feat becomes the mystery of the suffering of Christ, His Cross and death, and the Fast itself becomes the “ascent to Jerusalem.”

The Raising of Lazarus. Icon from the festive rite. Moscow. 1560s

The resurrection of Lazarus is the last great miracle of Christ before the night of Passion. The Evangelist John (John 11:1-45) depicts this event as an eyewitness, with amazing, almost tangible authenticity. You see literally every detail: the timidity of the students, their hesitation and finally their determination to face danger. Jesus with eyes full of tears, at the tomb of his sisters, overwhelmed with grief, the confusion of Martha, the rolled away stone and the powerful royal call heard in other worlds: “Come out, Lazarus!” A silent figure in a shroud on the threshold of the crypt...He Who will soon Himself have to pass through the gates of death reveals Himself as its master...

Hearing about the resurrection of Lazarus, the Jewish high priests said about Jesus Christ: “What should we do? This Man does many miracles. If we leave Him like this, then everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take possession of our place and people” (John 11:47-48). Bishop Caiaphas gave the Sanhedrin advice that served as a prophecy about the saving power of the death on the cross of Jesus Christ: “You know nothing, and you will not think that it is better for us that one man should die for the people, than that the whole people should perish” (John 11:49- 50). From that day on, they decided to kill Jesus Christ without fail, promulgating the command to take Him wherever they saw Him (John 11:53).

The resurrection of Lazarus embittered the scribes and high priests so much that they decided to kill not only the Resurrector, but also the resurrected one (John 12:10). Lazarus retired to the island of Cyprus, where he was later appointed bishop by the Apostles. Our Lady gave him an omophorion made by her hands. Lazarus lived after his resurrection for 30 years and maintained strict abstinence. He reposed for the second time in Cyprus. In the 9th century, the Byzantine Emperor Leo the Philosopher transferred the relics of righteous Lazarus from Cyprus to Constantinople.

Traditions of Lazarus Saturday

The traditions of celebrating Lazarus Saturday and the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem were closely intertwined in Rus'. In the evening of this day, on the eve of Palm Sunday, as on the very day of the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, people brought and are now bringing willow branches to the temple. The priest performed the rite of blessing the willows at the evening service - the All-Night Vigil of the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.

In Slavic countries, the willow became a symbol of the holiday in imitation of Christ’s contemporaries, who covered his road to Jerusalem with palm branches: many people followed Christ to the capital of Israel. People were amazed by the miracle of Lazarus and showed incredible honor to the Savior. When he rode a donkey into the Jerusalem gates, everyone around exclaimed: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And they threw palm branches at His feet - a royal symbol.

In Rus' and other Slavic countries, palm branches as a symbol of the holiday were replaced by willows. Willow is one of the first trees to bloom in spring. Fluffy branches symbolized the awakening of nature after a long winter, the resurrection of all living things to bloom and bear fruit. The first mention of this tradition can be found in the Izbornik of Svyatoslav at the beginning of the 11th century. This is the third oldest ancient Russian handwritten book after the Ostromir Gospel and the Novgorod Codex.

In the villages, willow trees were broken on Lazarus Saturday. The townspeople also went to break willow - to the banks of nearby rivers. In Moscow, for example, in Kitay-gorod and on the banks of the Neglinka, densely overgrown with willows and willows.

The custom of "lazarization"

On Palm Saturday, the Gagauz and Bulgarians performed a beautiful custom - lazarization (Lazari). Very little girls from six to twelve years old, “lazarki,” were “lazarized.” They went from house to house in groups of three or six and sang special Lazar songs.

One of the lazarkas usually portrayed the “bride” and carried a basket of treats. Her face was covered with a white veil or scarf. They thanked the “lazarks” with gifts: raw eggs and small coins.