The relics of Saint Lazarus, known as “the friend of the Lord,” will be brought from Cyprus next week for the festivities of Saint Demetrius the New at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.
Archbishop George of Cyprus will bring the revered relics of Saint Lazarus to Bucharest for the “Way of the Saints” procession, scheduled for Thursday, October 24. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel will officially welcome the relics during a ceremony at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral.
According to the official schedule, Saint Lazarus’s relics will be placed in a canopy near the Cathedral alongside the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher, Saints Constantine and Helen, and Saint Nectarios.
Saint Lazarus
Saint Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is one of the individuals whom Jesus Christ resurrected during His earthly ministry. The name Lazarus is derived from the Hebrew “Eleazar,” meaning “God helps.”
The most detailed account of Lazarus is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 11, which describes his illness, death, and subsequent raising from the dead by Christ.
According to tradition, after his resurrection, Lazarus travelled to Cyprus, where he was ordained as Bishop of Kition (modern-day Larnaca) by Saint Paul. Lazarus lived in Larnaca for an additional 30 years. In 890 AD, his relics were discovered, and in 901 AD, Emperor Leo VI the Wise transferred them to Constantinople.
Today, most of Saint Lazarus’ relics are housed in the church dedicated to him in Larnaca, with other fragments preserved at the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos.
The principal feast day of Saint Lazarus is observed on Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. This day commemorates the miracle of his resurrection four days after his death. A local feast dedicated to Saint Lazarus is celebrated on March 17, while the translation of his relics is marked on May 4 and October 17.
October 17 🗓️ Translation of the relics of Saint Lazarus #thegoodtoknow pic.twitter.com/dqaizWbfBJ
— Basilica.ro (EN) (@BasilicaNews) October 17, 2024
Photo: Lumina Newspaper / Luigi Ivanciu
