Raising of Lazarus Silk Screen Icon – Gold & Engraved Wood

Description

The Raising of Lazarus, or the Resurrection of Lazarus, references the miracle of resurrection performed by Jesus Christ as told in the Gospel of John. According to tradition, Lazarus lived in Bethany, present day West Bank, with his sisters – Martha and Mary. Lazarus fell ill while Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, prompting his sisters to send word of his illness to Jesus, but by the time Jesus arrived Lazarus had been dead for four days.

In front of a crowd of mourners, Jesus instructed that the stone to Lazarus’ tomb needed to be moved away, and once the tomb was open Jesus told Lazarus to come forward. With his grave wrappings still upon him, Lazarus walked forward as the Lord had bade him to. Jesus then directed the mourners to remove the wrappings from Lazarus so that he may be free.

Following his resurrection, Lazarus fled to Cyprus to escape the persecution he now faced at home. Writings in the Gospel of John say “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.” Later, Apostles Paul and Barnabas visited Cyprus, where they ordained Lazarus as a Bishop – the first Bishop of Kition. The Raising of Lazarus is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on Lazarus Saturday, which occurs the day prior to Palm Sunday. Lazarus Saturday marks the end of Great Lent and the start of Holy Week.