Lazarus Saturday

After Lazarus Saturday in Cyprus celebrate Palm SundayOn the last Saturday before Holy Week in Cyprus, the Day of the Resurrection of St. Lazarus by the Savior is widely celebrated. This day is better known as Lazarus Saturday, after which Cypriots also celebrate Palm Sunday. Only in place of a willow, believers take olive branches or palm trees to the temple. Such branches are made to decorate houses.

Lazarus Saturday is especially dear to the inhabitants of Larnaca, because St. Lazarus is the heavenly patron of their city.

In the center of Larnaca is known to every Cypriot and every guest of Cyprus temple "Ayos Lazaros", that is, a temple built in honor of St. Lazarus. It still houses the stone sarcophagus in which Lazarus was once buried.

After Christ resurrected him, Lazarus became the Savior’s earthly friend forever. And after the Resurrection of Christ, all the apostles from above were told which lands to go to preach the teaching of Christ. The Apostle Barnabas was entrusted with “Asian Minor” lands, including Cyprus, so Barnabas is very revered on the island. It was he who ordained Lazarus as Bishop of Cyprus, after which the whole life of Lazarus became fully connected with this country.

In connection with his episcopal work in Cyprus, Lazarus’ only grief was that he could no longer see the Virgin, who at that time was still living on Earth. Lazarus himself did not have the opportunity to go to Jerusalem, since he could not abandon his flock, especially since the persecution of Christians continued in Jerusalem.

Sensing with special providence what Lazarus was experiencing, the Virgin herself wrote a letter to Lazarus, in which she said that she agreed to visit the island and asked to send a ship for her, which was soon fulfilled by Lazarus with great joy. During the journey, a severe storm began, and the ship departed from its intended course. The Virgin and all those who were with her moored at the shores of Mount Athos. From that moment, Athos became the earthly lot of the Most Holy Mother of God. After all the affairs on Athos were settled, the ship, undamaged by a wild storm, sailed again to the shores of Cyprus.

Lazarus, seeing that the Mother of God had not arrived at the specified time, was very saddened. But as soon as the ship appeared on the horizon, Lazarus’ heart was filled with joy. The Mother of God gave him gifts made by Her hands: omophorion and commission. The Virgin, according to legend, stayed in Cyprus for several days and, comforting Lazarus and blessing the believers, returned back.

Saint Lazarus is especially revered in Cyprus. On his holiday, Orthodox Cypriots create amazing beauty of their jewelry from gladiolis and yellow daisies.