Lazarev's Sabbath among the Orthodox: the biblical description of the holiday, the spiritual meaning

Lazarus Saturday is an important church holiday dedicated to the victory of life over death. On this day, the Orthodox remember the great miracle performed by Jesus Christ — the resurrection of the righteous Lazarus. The feast precedes the entry of the Lord into Jerusalem and serves as an omen of Easter. For more information about when the Orthodox Church will celebrate Lazarus Saturday in 2025 and why this holiday is of particular importance to believers, see the Izvestia article.

When is Lazarev's Saturday and Easter for the Orthodox in 2025

In 2025, Orthodox believers will celebrate Lazarus Saturday on April 12, exactly one week before the Great Saturday preceding Easter. The holiday has no fixed date, but it always falls on the sixth Saturday of Lent. The celebration is preceded by Palm Sunday and the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, which in 2025 will be held on April 13.

In addition, Lazarus Saturday serves as an important preparatory stage for Holy Week, the week preceding Easter, during which the Last Supper, the trial, the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ are remembered.

Photo: TASS/Vladimir Smirnov

On Lazarus Saturday, the church commemorates one of the most important miracles performed by the Savior, the resurrection of the righteous Lazarus, who died four days before Jesus' arrival in Bethany. Lazarus Saturday is considered the first in a series of transitional holidays that open the Easter cycle. The celebration symbolizes the first great news of the future resurrection of all the departed righteous.

The Orthodox Church will celebrate Easter in 2025 on April 20. The holiday is one of the most important celebrations in Christianity, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ and celebrated as a day of joy and redemption. Active preparations for the celebration of Great Easter will begin in Holy Week.

The best Lazarus Saturday greetings: prose and poetry, postcards and pictures

Lazareva Saturday: as described in the Gospel

The miracle of Lazarus' resurrection is described in the Gospel of John (chapter 11, verses 1-45). Unlike other evangelists, it is the Apostle John who tells in detail about the dramatic events that took place in Bethany, the village where Lazarus lived with his sisters Martha and Mary. According to the text, one day the sisters of the righteous inform Jesus that their brother is seriously ill. When Christ learned of his friend's illness, he deliberately delayed for two days so that the appearance of God's glory would become obvious: by the time he arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead for four days and was buried in a cave.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Ilya Naimushin

Before performing a miracle, Jesus deeply grieves, sheds tears — this moment is considered to be evidence of the manifestation of Christ's humanity. Then Jesus Christ ordered the stone used to close the cave with the deceased to be rolled away, went inside and said: "Lazarus! Get out!"

After that, the deceased came out of the cave alive and unharmed, wrapped in funeral shrouds. This was the last great miracle performed by Jesus before his own suffering. In the theological tradition, it is considered not only a proof of the divinity of the Savior, but also the first open evidence of the universal resurrection. It was after this event that the Sanhedrin decided to execute Christ — it had such a strong impact on the people and the Jewish authorities.

The spiritual meaning and significance of Lazarus Sabbath for believers

Lazarus Saturday is a day of deep hope for the Orthodox. In religious texts, it is called "the anticipation of Easter" and "the feast of life." The resurrection of Lazarus is a symbol of the future universal resurrection of the dead in Christ. It shows that even in the face of death, it is important to maintain faith in God.

On this day, the solemn liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated in churches, and special hymns are read, glorifying the victory of life over death. Believers pray to Saint Lazarus, the righteous, and ask God for strength in faith and spiritual fortitude. The canon of Lazarus Saturday is read from the prayers, special importance is attached to the reading of the 11th chapter of the Gospel of John - it becomes the center of the home prayer reading on this day.

Photo: TASS/Vladimir Gerdo

According to folk traditions, on Lazarus Saturday, housewives began to prepare for Easter: they cleaned the house, cleaned and washed icons, and baked lenten bread. On this day, it was customary to consecrate willow branches — this symbolized the approach of Palm Sunday.

It was believed that the day was favorable for charitable deeds: it was customary to visit the sick and help those in need. It was allowed to cook lean porridges and pies. It was also possible to consume vegetable oil and caviar. However, lavish celebrations and noisy festivities are not welcome. As on other Orthodox holidays, it is not recommended to do heavy household chores such as laundry, cleaning, or needlework.

The church reminds us not to indulge in superstitions on this day. You can not do fortune-telling and conduct magical rituals. Lazarus Saturday should be devoted to prayer and reflection on spiritual values.