Lazarus Saturday

We have completed the forty days that profit our souls.

Let us sing: “Rejoice, city of Bethany, home of Lazarus!

Rejoice, Mary and Martha, his sisters!

Tomorrow Christ will come and raise your dead brother to life.

Bitter and unsatisfied, hell will hear His voice.

Shaking and groaning, it will release bound Lazarus.

The assembly of Hebrews will be amazed.

They will greet Him with palms and branches.

Though their priests and elders look on Him with envy and malice, the children shall praise Him in song:

‘Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord,

the King of Israel!’” (vesperal hymn)

Fr. John

Lazarus Saturday

Thou hast come to the place of the burial of Lazarus, O Lord,

the tomb of a man four days dead.

Weeping for Thy friend, O Bread of Life, Thou didst raise him up.

Therefore death was bound by Thy voice,

and grave clothes were loosened by Thy hand.

The band of disciples was filled with joy.

One song of adoration was sung by all:

Blessed art thou, O Savior! Have mercy on us!

(Stichira from vepers)

Fr. John