Significance
The raising of Lazarus holds great significance in the Orthodox Christian tradition. It serves as a powerful reminder of the power of Christ over death and His ability to bring forth life even from the darkest of situations. This miracle foreshadows Christ’s own resurrection and serves as a prelude to the events of Holy Week, leading up to His crucifixion and ultimate victory over death on Pascha (Easter).
Furthermore, the raising of Lazarus demonstrates the dual nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine. His compassion and sorrow at the death of Lazarus show his humanity, while His ability to call Lazarus back from the dead reveals His divine power. This miracle serves to strengthen the faith of His disciples and followers, preparing them for the trials to come.
Overall, the story of the raising of Lazarus is a testament to the glory of God and the unwavering faith that believers can have in Christ’s ability to overcome even the most seemingly impossible situations. It is a reminder of the hope and joy that can be found in the midst of despair, and a testament to the eternal life that awaits all who believe in Him.
Regenerate Then, disclosing the fullness of His divine power, Christ raises Lazarus from the dead, even though his corpse has already begun to decompose and stink. This double fullness of the Lord’s divinity and His humanity is to be kept in view throughout Holy Week, and above all on Good Friday. On the Cross we see a genuine human agony, both physical and mental, but we see more than this: we see not only suffering man but suffering God.
Icon of the Feast
Standing with Christ are his disciples who are witnesses of this miracle, a true manifestation of the power of God that would bring them assurance during the Passion of our Lord.
In the center of the icon is a person who represents the crowd who also witnessed the miracle. Some believed, but others went and told the Pharisees and chief priests who continued their machinations to bring about the arrest of Christ and His death. The walled city of Jerusalem, where Christ will arrive in triumph the following day, is depicted in the background.
Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Saturday of Lazarus
The Saturday of Lazarus is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is preceded by the Matins service. On Friday before the feast, the Vespers is done either in conjunction with the Presanctified Liturgy or if this is not held, according to the order of the Triodion. The day and commemoration receives its name from the miracle of Christ recorded in the Gospel. Both this feast and Palm Sunday are joyous festivals of the Church, and thus bright colors are used for vestments and the Holy Table.
Scripture readings for the Saturday of Lazarus are: At the Orthros (Matins): No reading of the Gospel. At the Divine Liturgy: Hebrews 12:28-13:8; John 11:1-45.
At the Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday, the baptismal verse from Galatians (“As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” Galatians 3:27) replaces the Thrice-Holy Hymn, thus indicating the resurrectional character of the celebration, and the fact that Lazarus Saturday was once among the few great baptismal days in the Orthodox Church Year.
Hymns of the Feast
Apolytikion: First Tone
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your Passion, You confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with palms of victory, We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of Death; Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!
Kontakion: Second Tone
Christ – the Joy, the Truth, and the Light of All, the Life of the World and the Resurrection – has appeared in his goodness to those on earth. He has become the Image of our resurrection, granting divine forgiveness to all.
Troparion of Saturday of St. Lazarus, Orthros. Tone 1
O Christ God, when Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before Thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to Thee, O vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Exaposteilaria, Saturday of St. Lazarus. Tone 3
By Your word, O Word of God, Lazarus now leaps out of death, having returned to this life. Therefore the peoples honor You with their branches, O Mighty One; for You shall destroy Hades utterly by Your own death.
By means of Lazarus has Christ already plundered you, O death. Where is your victory, O Hades? For the lament of Bethany is handed over now to you. Let us all wave against it our branches of victory.
Source: GOARCH