On the Saturday before Holy Week, this year on 12 April, the Orthodox Church celebrates the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after four days in the grave!

This feast, combined with Palm Sunday, marks a triumphant moment as the Church witnesses Christ’s victory over death and proclaims Him as King.

As we approach the somber Holy Week services we are preparing to relive and commemorate Our Lord’s suffering, death, and the glorious celebration of Pascha.

Did you know ?
Lazarus Saturday is a “little Pascha” foreshadowing Christ’s resurrection and the promises that all who believe in him will rise and live again. ( John 11: 25-26)

Tomorrow we celebrate the Entrance of the Lord to Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and in liturgical terms we are looking at the “beginning of the Cross” as we are on the cusp of Holy Week.

You may wonder why we consider the raising of Lazarus as such an important part of the Paschal period.

It is a precursor to Christ’s own glorious resurrection in a week’s time.

By raising Lazarus from the dead Christ prepared his disciples and confirmed the fact of resurrection for all who trust and believe in Him.

Although we are looking ahead to a sad and solemn week this bright spot of the resurrection of Lazarus is once again a strong promise of the resurrection of Christ which is beyond victorious.

The backstory of Lazarus
You will find the full story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead by Jesus in the Gospel of Saint John 11:1-45.

Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus, becomes ill, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, send a message to Him :”Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

Jesus did not immediately go to Bethany, the town where Lazarus lived with his sisters. Instead He remained in the place where He was for two more days. His disciples were somewhat surprised that Jesus did not rush to save his friend.

And then Jesus told his disciples that Lazarus had fallen asleep and that He was going there to wake him.

They had no clue that he meant Lazarus was dead ……
When Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
Martha heard that Jesus was approaching so she went to meet Him and said broken-heartedly to Him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of Him.”

Jesus told her that her brother would rise again. She confirmed that she knew he would rise again in the resurrection on the last day as Jesus had taught them.

And Jesus replied, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. “

Jesus came to the tomb accompanied by the sisters and the mourners and asked that the stone that covered the door be taken away.

Jesus looked toward heaven and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.”

Then, He said with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

And can you imagine that eerie moment when Lazarus staggered out of the tomb, bound with the strips of burial cloth!

Everyone was dumbstruck and even the disciples were totally blown away because now they understood what He had meant earlier.

As a result of this miracle, many of the Jews that were present believed in Jesus.

Others went and told the Pharisees what Jesus had done and, of course, this was the spark that they needed to make plans to arrest Him and put Him to death.

In the early days of the original church Lazarus Saturday was called “ the announcement of Pascha”, as it looks forward to and announces the incredible and awesome glory of Holy Saturday when Christ brings the light back into the world.

The Tradition of Lazarakia Bread

On this Saturday before Palm Sunday there is a charming tradition that fills Greek households with the aroma of baking bread – with a difference.
Only today do we make these little Lazarakia or “little Lazarus breads.”

The tradition of baking these little sweet spice breads hails from Greece and Cyprus and go back such a long way.

In Greek they are called Λαζαράκια ( Lazarakia) which means Little Lazaruses. They are enjoyed as a celebration of the miracle of Jesus raising his dear friend Lazarus from the dead .

Shaped like a shrouded figure, these little spiced breads symbolise the resurrection of Lazarus.
They are made in the fasting way omitting eggs and dairy but are simply more-ish.

This versatile dough can be customised to each family’s cherished recipe but usually it had a sweet, aromatic profile with cinnamon and cloves and mahlepi (a distinctive Greek spice).
For extra flavour the breads can be stuffed with a mix of finely chopped walnuts and raisins.

By eating certain foods only once a year – especially where the children are concerned – gives them a special significance . In this way it encourages the belief in and anticipation of upcoming feasts.

Kalo Pascha!