“Saint Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Christ Himself, is a powerful symbol of victory over death and God’s boundless love for humanity,” emphasized Patriarch Daniel in his address to pilgrims during the reception of the holy relics of St. Lazarus on Thursday.
On Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the honourable skull of Saint Lazarus, brought from the “Saint Lazarus” Church in Larnaca, Cyprus, by Archbishop George of Cyprus, at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral.
In his address to the pilgrims, Patriarch Daniel noted that both Saint Demetrius the New and Saint Lazarus are “living examples of compassion, spiritual healing, and triumph over suffering and death—qualities so needed by the faithful in these increasingly challenging times.”
“Saint Demetrius the New is himself a healer, offering continuous intercession for those who come to him in faith. Pilgrimage to his relics is an act of faith and hope, and the blessings that flow from them are testimonies of God’s work in the world,” he added.
“Through the miracle of raising Lazarus on the fourth day after his death, the Lord Jesus Christ showed that both earthly life and eternal heavenly life are the most precious gifts that can be offered to mankind,” Patriarch Daniel noted.
“Lazarus of Bethany, who experienced death and returned to life, shows us that Christ’s love can raise the dead, bringing joy to the sorrowful and preparing us for the universal resurrection at the end of time.”
An Icon of Our Resurrection
His Beatitude outlined key aspects of Saint Lazarus’ life, presenting his resurrection as an icon of our own eventual resurrection.
“The raising of Lazarus is an icon of our own resurrection from the dead, as the hymn of Lazarus Saturday proclaims: ‘By raising Lazarus from the dead before your passion. You confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God.'”
“Church tradition tells us that after his miraculous raising from the dead, Lazarus became a bishop in Cyprus, serving the Church with devotion for many years,” explained the Patriarch.
“This transformation—from a man who experienced suffering and death to a dedicated servant of Christ and His Church—inspires us to seek continuous spiritual renewal and deeper commitment in serving God and our fellow people, especially those who are sick and suffering.”
Patriarch Daniel also cited historical sources that shed light on Saint Lazarus’ life.
Concluding his message to the pilgrims, His Beatitude said: “We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Physician of our souls and bodies, through the intercessions of His Holy Mother, Saint Demetrius the New, Saint Lazarus, and all the unmercenary saints, will grant you all physical and spiritual health, help in trials, and joy in faith, to the glory of the Holy Trinity, the joy of the saints, and the attainment of salvation.”
The venerable relics of Saint Lazarus
The honourable skull of Saint Lazarus has been placed in the Saints’ Canopy near the Patriarchal Cathedral alongside the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Streamer, Saints Constantine and Helen, and Saint Nectarios.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
