Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus Saturday is a moveable feast in Eastern Christianity, observed the day before Palm Sunday. Celebrated by Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians in countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, Armenia, Russia, Bulgaria, and India, it commemorates the raising of Lazarus of Bethany and marks a joyful pause between Lent and Holy Week.

• Celebrated the day before Palm Sunday in Eastern Christianity
• Special hymns and prayers focus on the raising of Lazarus
• Lazarakia breads are baked in Greece and Cyprus
• Willow branches are blessed in Serbia and Bulgaria
• Kozhukkatta rice dumplings are made in India

What it is

Lazarus Saturday is a significant day in the Eastern Christian calendar, celebrated on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. It commemorates the biblical story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in Bethany, seen as a powerful sign of resurrection and hope. For Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians, this day stands out as a moment of joy and triumph, bridging the solemnity of Great Lent and the sorrow of Holy Week. The festival is marked by special hymns, prayers, and liturgical services that focus on themes of renewal and the promise of new life.

Where it comes from

The commemoration of Lazarus Saturday has deep historical roots, with references found in the homilies of early church fathers such as St. John Chrysostom and St. Augustine. By the 7th and 8th centuries, distinct hymns and canons for the feast were composed by figures like St. Andrew of Crete and St. John Damascene, many of which are still sung today. The festival’s placement before Palm Sunday and its connection to the story of Lazarus in the Gospel of John have made it a longstanding tradition in the liturgical life of Eastern Christianity.

How it is celebrated

Lazarus Saturday is observed with special church services that include readings and hymns recounting the raising of Lazarus. The day is still kept as a fast, though the restrictions are lighter, allowing foods like caviar and eggs, which symbolize resurrection. In Russia, churches are decorated in green to signify renewal, and in Greece and Cyprus, families bake lazarakia—spiced breads shaped to resemble Lazarus in his grave clothes. Among Saint Thomas Christians in India, rice dumplings called Kozhukkatta are prepared, giving the day the local name Kozhukatta Saturday. In Serbia and Bulgaria, willow branches are blessed and distributed, sometimes adorned with bells, and traditions such as flower picking, burning fires, and the Lazarice procession of young women are observed.

Joining in

Visitors can experience Lazarus Saturday in Orthodox churches across Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, Armenia, Russia, Bulgaria, and among Christian communities in India. Expect a blend of solemn liturgy and joyful music, with local customs like bread baking, willow branch processions, and festive foods. In many places, the church is decorated in green and the mood is one of hope and renewal, offering a unique insight into the spiritual and communal life of Eastern Christians as they prepare for Holy Week.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Lazarus Saturday, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Lazarus Saturday on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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