Holy Week and Pascha 2013: Lazarus Saturday

Day 1: Lazarus is alive!

What's happening today?

Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha and a dear friend of Jesus, has been dead for four days. The disciples had told Jesus that his good friend, Lazarus, was sick, but did not come to visit him because, as he told His disciples, "His sickness is not for death. It will be for the glory of God."

When Jesus finally comes to Bethany, Lazarus is already dead. Mary and Martha tell Jesus that if he'd been there, then Lazarus wouldn't have died. Jesus asks to see where his friend had been buried. When he gets to the tomb Jesus cries for his friend. He then asks that they open the doors of the tomb. Mary protests, saying that there would be a smell (he's been dead for four days after all), but Jesus wants it opened anyway. He pauses for a moment to pray and then calls to into the tomb, "Lazarus come out!" Lo and behold, out walks Lazarus, with his grave clothes still wrapped around him. Jesus had raised him from the dead!

Word began to spread like wildfire about what Jesus had done. Jesus and His disciples are planning on going up to the big city, Jerusalem, to celebrate the Passover. Lots of people were coming to the city for the feast, and soon they would all know about Lazarus. But, remember that the Jewish authorities are waiting in Jerusalem and plotting to condemn Jesus to death.

See the icon at the top of this post? Can you identify all the people and tell what they are doing? There sure is a lot going on!

What happening today at St. George?

Fr. Philip served Liturgy this morning for the feast.