St lazarus cross free#

Having converted, blessed and established a new Christian community from the local idolaters they set sail for Cyprus and met with Lazarus. Unaware that divine providence had brought her to this area, the Virgin Mary completely taken by the beauty of the area, prayed to her son that this could be her garden devoted to prayer to 'fight the good fight of faith'. However on their journey, a great storm blew them off course and carried them to the shores of Ephesus and then the ship to the shores of Athos, Greece. With great joy, Lazarus sent a ship to the Holy Land to bring the Virgin Mary and John, the beloved disciple to Cyprus for a visit. She asked that he might send a ship to her that she might visit him in Cyprus. The Theotokos learned of his sorrow and sent him a letter to comfort him. Lazarus was very close to the Virgin Mary and he was very grieved that he could not return to Jerusalem to visit her (he was still in fear of the Jews). Lazarus instead of Christ, which is the standard custom of the church.Īnother famous tradition related to Lazarus is the discovery of Mount Athos in 52 AD by the Theotokos. This is why all episcopal thrones in Larnaca have the icon of St. When Apostle Paul and Apostle Barnabas travelled to Cyprus, they ordained Lazarus as the first Bishop of Kition. just like Stephen, Lazarus would have had to leave Judea to seek refuge in another country. Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch. were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about. the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus (John 12:10-11). Later Life Bishop of KitionĪccording to Scripture and the tradition of the Cypriot church, Lazarus was compelled to seek refuge away from Jerusalem to avoid the anger of the high priests and the pharisees, who wanted to kill him. It is also the act which serves as the catalyst of the events leading to Our Lord's arrest and Passion. John's Gospel and the proof of Christ's divinity. Thomas Hopko, the Lazarene Miracle is the 'climactic high point' of St. The Raising of Lazarus represents a testimony to the resurrection - both Christ's and the universal resurrection, as well as Our Lord as victor over death.Īccording to the V. The religious hierarchy of the Jews at this time was dominated by Sadducees, who denied the resurrection. This event struck fear into the hearts of the Jewish leaders, so much so that they even considered putting Lazarus to death (John 12:9-11). John goes on to explain that even more Jews were convinced of Jesus' divinity.

St lazarus cross free#

Jesus then called for the crowd to remove the wrappings and free him. Lazarus did so, still in his grave wrappings. In the presence of the mourners, the Lord ordered the stone rolled away from Lazarus' tomb and bade him to come forth. And whosoever believeth in me shall never die' (John 11:25-26, KJV). Martha mistook this for the universal resurrection on Judgment Day, to which He replied, 'I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. When Martha reproached Our Lord for not arriving sooner, Christ assured her that Lazarus would rise. When He arrived, Lazarus had already been in his tomb for four days. The Lord tarried where He was, later perceiving Lazarus' death. On His way to Jerusalem before the Passover, the sisters had sent word to Jesus and His Apostles that Lazarus was ill. 2.2 Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca and RelicsĪccording to the Gospel of John, Lazarus lived in the town of Bethany (approximately two miles outside of Jerusalem in the present day West Bank) with his two sisters, Mary and Martha.