What does Lazarev Saturday mean and traditions on this holiday

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Every year Christians celebrate Lazarev Saturday before Palm Sunday. This is the best time to remind again what kind of holiday it is and what meaning is hidden in it.

history of the holiday

The actual chronology of events does not coincide with the divine services. The resurrection took place a couple of months before the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem. Moreover, this miracle became an important reason for passing the death sentence on Christ.

Interesting! What does Palm Sunday mean?

This is not the only time that Jesus Christ brought people back from the afterlife. Before him, according to the Gospels, at least 2 more people were awarded the following honor:

• the unnamed son of a poor widow;
• daughter of a Jew named Jairus.

The main reason why the resurrection of Lazarus is so important is that it was the last and most significant occasion when the Savior performed a great miracle.

In this way, he demonstrated to his disciples that one should not be afraid of death, that the Son of the Lord is stronger than her, but still humbly accepts his fate in order to atone for the sins of all people.

After resurrection

In turn, the thirty-year-old Lazarus lived another 30 years after the resurrection. Due to the fact that he left the crypt on the 4th day, he was nicknamed the Four-Day. However, the four days that he spent in Hell left an indelible imprint on the saint. He never smiled again.

After the events at Calvary, he had to leave Judea due to persecution. Together with the apostles Paul and Barnabas, he went to Cyprus and began to preach Christian doctrine there. In 45 A. D. NS. he was appointed bishop of the church. According to legend, he died quietly 18 years later in Kition (Larnaca).

The relics of the saint were found almost a millennium later, in 890. The remains lay in the marble ark. After 8 years, they were transported to Constantinople, and in Larnaca a church was built over the burial place of the saint.

However, in 1972 it turned out that the relics of the saint were divided, and a part still remained under the Larnaca church, forgotten by everyone. Soon this place again became a shrine for pilgrims. And part of the relics was transferred to Russia and is kept in the Moscow Conception Monastery.

As for the first tomb of Lazarus, it is located in Bethany. It is now a Muslim territory. Initially, the city was renamed Lazarion, but later the Arabs changed the name to El-Azaria, which has survived to this day.

There is one more feature of the events of the resurrection of Lazarus. Unlike many others, they were displayed on frescoes and icons as early as the 4th century, that is, before Lazarev Saturday became an official Christian holiday.

This story also influenced later artists. Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Van Gogh have canvases depicting the last earthly miracle of Christ.

What date in 2020

Lazarev Saturday is a holiday that is celebrated 8 days before Easter. Considering that Great Lent and the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ are tied to the lunar calendar, the date is constantly shifting. In 2020, all Orthodox Christians will remember the miracle of Lazarus' return to life on April 11.

On this day, the strict restrictions of the Forty Day are not canceled, but certain indulgences are made. Traditionally, for the weekend, the use of vegetable oil and wine is allowed, although not more than one glass. And in honor of the holiday, believers can pamper themselves with fish caviar, without fear of breaking the rules of the church.

Major prohibitions

Despite all the indulgences, ceremonies and the general festive atmosphere, there were actions that were considered a bad omen on Lazarev Saturday. So, in order not to offend the memory of the saints, it was impossible:

• swearing;
• to arrange festivities and not to observe the measure in alcohol;
• celebrate weddings, birthdays and any other celebrations;
• engage in physical labor, handicrafts, hunt, clean up and wash;
• guess.

It was considered a bad omen to trample underfoot crumbs that fell from the festive table to the floor. For the laity, the holiday was supposed to be a time of light and humble expectation of a miracle.

Tradition and superstition

According to Russian tradition, Lazarev Saturday was more revered as a preparation for Palm Sunday. Therefore, the hostesses cooked mash, cooked porridge and buckwheat pancakes. Also, a covered pie - fish chicken was prepared in advance, because on the last day before Holy Week you can eat all the seafood.

On Lazarev Saturday, willow branches were cut. According to Greek signs and rituals, it was customary to prepare and consecrate palm branches, because it was with them that the earth was covered when the Savior entered Jerusalem.

But in the northern latitudes, palm trees do not grow, and the sacred plant was replaced by willow branches. They were consecrated on Saturday evening services in preparation for Palm Sunday.

There were also signs associated with palm buds. If there were a lot of them, then the year promised to be fruitful, and most importantly - happy and rich in joyful events. In addition, it was customary to beat household members with consecrated branches on Saturday in order to recharge them with health and good luck for the whole next year.

The Bulgarians living in the territory of modern Moldova have a different sweet tradition. Housewives prepare lazarski - delicious sweet pastries for children. In the evening, beautifully dressed girls walk around the neighbors and sing holiday songs, and in return the owners give them sweet treats.

Cypriot traditions are also very interesting. It is customary for the Greeks to hold a festive procession in honor of Lazarev's Saturday. It is led by a small boy with a palm branch.

And in general, children on this day participate in many rituals along with the clergy, paying tribute to the miracle created by Jesus Christ and the lives of the saints.

Summarize

1. Lazarev Saturday in 2020 is celebrated on April 11.
2. The resurrection of Saint Lazarus was the last earthly miracle created by Christ, and symbolized his humility, despite his complete power over death.
3. On a holiday, you can eat fish caviar and drink wine, but you cannot use foul language, do housework and have fun.