Raising of Lazarus Orthodox Church celebrates the day before Palm Sunday. From the Gospel we learn that Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary and lived in Bethany. This village is in the Holy Land and is located on one of the rocky peaks of Southeast Olivet.

In the days that preceded His Passion, Christ is beyond Jordan in Perea, a wasteland. He will receive news that Lazarus was gravely ill and that is expected to heal. The Gospels do not mention what the illness was, however, undoubtedly it was an incurable disease. Christ is not going to Lazarus, until two days after hearing the news. Arrives in Bethany with his disciples, in the fourth day of the death of Lazarus.

At the entrance to the village of Marta is greeted with the words: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Christ replied: “I am the resurrection and the life”, that it is He who brought into being from nothingness all and one who has power to overcome death.

Christ’s question: “Where have you laid him?” Others replied, “Lord, come and see.” In the book of worship (Triodion) says: “As you asked a mortal and a risen God.” Human works are intertwined with the divine. All actions committed by Christ being theandric, each bearing bears the seal of both natures, although sometimes precumpăneşte human element and sometimes divine.

There are people who say that the Son is not consubstantial with the Father. He claims that Christ showed ignorance, since you asked, “Where have you laid him.” Either God is omniscient. Lest we fall into error, St. John Chrysostom tells us that if we call ignorance of Jesus this question, then you should call Father in heaven ignorance and the question: “Adam, where are you?” or the one addressed to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”. But no father, after the Old Testament, it was ignorant, nor the Son, as the New Testament is not.

Raising of Lazarus symbol of the resurrection

According to the Gospels, Christ will weep at the tomb of Lazarus. He will weep out of compassion for all human nature, not only for Lazarus, but for all human nature came into corruption. We asked to be given away the stone from the door, he would satisfy the Father to wonder what would happen and then we will call Lazarus out. It emerges from the grave as it had been buried: wrapped in shrouds and face veil.

Calling Christ, when he called Lazarus from the grave, it is seen as a way of calling the earth to the resurrection of all the dead things in common, which will be a call to all the final judgment. Father Dumitru Stăniloae states that such word or such power must be used in the creation of the world God and the Word. But then it created all at a time, while the community will call the resurrection of bodies all at once to a new life. It should be noted that if Lazarus victory over death was not final because him has been a revival of his earthly body. Christ only in death will be fully defeated.

Raising of Lazarus and Sacrament of Penance

Lazarus was sick, died, but rose again because he was a friend of Christ. So no one should lose hope, even if it is in extremely bad. As happened with Lazarus by absolution, we learn what turns each of us escaped death when the soul. Through repentance man becomes alive. But this is not enough, we also need absolution he gives to the priest, as was Lazarus need to be solved by the Apostles at the command Savior.

Lazarus bishop of Cyprus

After killing Archdeacon Stephen, Lazarus with his sisters went to the island of Cyprus. Was he sought to be killed. When Paul and Barnabas are in their first missionary journey, they stopped in Cyprus, met him there and he was consecrated Bishop of Cyprus. Tradition says that after being risen Christ, lived 30 years, he died.

It was buried in the town of Larnaca in Cyprus. Over his tomb was built a small church. In 890, Emperor Leo the Wise moved the relics to Constantinople. In exchange for holy relics, he offered money and craftsmen who erected in Larnaca, the church “Saint Lazarus”, which can be seen today. In 1204, when the Crusaders conquered Constantinople, the West led the relics of Lazarus. Initially kept in Marseille were held then in other places, that today have lost their wake. In 1972, during restoration of the church “Saint Lazarus” in Larnaca, it was discovered in a coffin marble altar with a fragment of the saint’s relics. On the coffin reads: “Lazarus fourth day, the friend of Christ.”

Every memory of those who are asleep, Saint Lazarus is called to pray for them “… prayers Righteous Lazarus raised from the dead day …”

To identify with Lazarus

Father Alexander Schmemann draws our attention that all sixth week of Lent invites us to become witnesses of what happened to Lazarus and to identify with him. So on Monday we are told: “Today, walking Christ on the Jordan, I disease appeared to Lazarus …” Tuesday: “Yesterday and today was Lazarus’ illness …” Wednesday: “Today, Lazarus dying, buried and sisters who mourn … “Thursday:” Two days is now dead Lazarus “and on Friday:” Tomorrow, the Lord comes to raise the dead brother of Martha and Mary “.

Painful for us is that we are accustomed to death, so much that I came to consider it natural. We are not aware that the man was not created to die, because death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15: 50-54). The raising of Lazarus is the call or the call out of death and enter into Life.