The resurrection of the righteous Lazarus – Kommersant

Before the holiday of the Lord’s entrance to Jerusalem, called Palm Sunday in Rus’, the Church solemnly notes the resurrection of the righteous Lazarus. According to the Gospel, this is the last great miracle committed by Christ in His earthly life. Lazarev Saturday is sometimes called small Easter, as it symbolizes the universal resurrection of mankind. As Jesus Christ resurrected Lazarus four days after his burial, so each of us will be resurrected after death.

The evangelist John describes this event in detail. The news of the disease, and then the death of Lazar, overtook Christ when he was with his disciples far from Bethany (the suburbs of Jerusalem), where Lazarus lived with his sisters Martha and Maria. Upon learning of this, he said: “This disease is not to death, but to the glory of God, may the Son of God be famous through it” (John 11: 4). The disciples, fearing for the life of Christ, discouraged him to return to Judea. But Christ was adamant, because “he loved Marf and Her Sister and Lazarus” (John 11: 5).

Lazarus is called a friend of God. Christ, having come to the cave, where his friend was buried, mourned with his eyes full of tears, like a true person, but, like a true God, he said to Martha: “I am the Resurrection and Life; The believer in me, if he dies, will come to life … ”(John 11:25). Then Christ “called in a loud voice: Lazarus! Go over ”(John 11:43). And so, stinking the smell of smoldering, entwined with burial swaddling, in front of the disciples of Christ and many eyewitnesses, Lazarus leaves the cave. The news of this instantly spreads throughout the country. The people rejoice, and religious leaders are further strengthened in the thought of the need for an early reprisal against Christ.

Jesus Christ himself soon had to go through betrayal, reproach and crucifixion in order to defeat death and approve faith in his resurrection. Therefore, the resurrection of Lazarus anticipates the Resurrection of Christ, giving students confidence in a future meeting with the Risen Lord.

According to church legend, Lazaru lived another 30 years after resurrection and became a bishop on the island of Cyprus.

Lazarev Saturday is of particular importance to understand the meaning of a great post. This day the holy fourteen ends – the time of our personal austerity (from the Greek. Ἀσκέω – “Exercise through abstinence”), when we are focused on internal work, cleansing the soul from puff and improvement in love. After a Palm Sunday, a passionate week occurs when the last days of the Earth’s life of the Savior are recalled. During the services of the passionate week, we step by step follow Christ, approaching Calvary. Therefore, Lazarev Saturday is a line beyond which the mysterious understanding of the spiritual experience described by the Apostle Paul is revealed: “I don’t live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

Quite a little time left before Easter celebration. We will pray hard and prepare for a meeting with the Risen Christ!

Rejoice, my dear, God is with us!

I cordially congratulate you on the bright holiday of the resurrection of the righteous Lazarus!

Metropolitan Belgorod and Starooskolsky John