The Bringing Up of the Relics of Saint Lazarus of the Four Days (898)

The bringing up of the relics of the Venerable Lazarus, who lay four days in the tomb. The righteous Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, was born in Bethany, near Jerusalem. During His earthly life the Lord Jesus Christ often visited the saint; He loved him dearly and called him His friend (John 11:3, 11).

When Lazarus died, the Saviour came to Bethany and raised from the dead the man who had been buried four days before (John 11:17–44) (the Church commemorates the raising of Lazarus on the sixth week of Great Lent, “Lazarus Saturday”). The miracle converted many Jews to faith in Christ. Because of this the Jewish high priests resolved to kill Lazarus. The Venerable Lazarus is mentioned once more in the holy Gospel: when, six days before the Crucifixion, the Saviour came again to Bethany, “there they made Him a supper… but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him” (John 12:1–2, 9–11). After his rising from the dead Lazarus lived another thirty years. By the will of God he became bishop of Cyprus. According to tradition, Lazarus was counted worthy to receive from the All-holy Mother of God, who came to the island on a visit, an omophorion made by her own hands. The Lord’s chosen one died for the second time, in peace, on Cyprus.

The incorrupt relics of Bishop Lazarus were brought up at Kition. They were laid in a marble reliquary with the inscription: “Lazarus of the four days, friend of Christ.” By order of the Byzantine emperor Leo the Wise (886–911), in 898 the holy relics were translated to Constantinople and given a place in the church dedicated to the righteous Lazarus.