Moscow Sretensky Theological Seminary. Church of St. Lazarus in Larnaca: photo, description Church of St. Lazarus Larnaca opening hours

Church.

On Cyprus has two three-domed churches: St. Lazarus in the city of Larnaca, which will be discussed in this article, and the church of the monastery of St. Barbara near the city of Famagusta. Construction The Church of St. Lazarus began in 890 on the site of a church that already existed at that time, where Jesus Christ’s friend Lazarus was buried. Facilities for construction were provided to the city of Kition (then the name of the city of Larnaca) by the Byzantine emperor Leo VI the Wise, in exchange for part of the relics of St. Lazarus. Temple made of stone, consists of three nave - central and side rooms and three domes located on the middle nave. IN early history temple, when the area where it is located was uninhabited, there were swamps around (Holy Lazarus swamps), this building had the status of a monastery.

IN During the Venetian occupation of Cyprus, the temple was called a Benedictine monastery and belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. After the Turks captured Cyprus, the temple was bought by the Orthodox Church (1589) Turks The presence of Orthodoxy was beneficial as they tried to reduce the influence of European Catholicism in the region. However Catholics were allowed to perform services twice a year in the temple within the small chapel, which adjoined the altar on the north, until 1794, when Archbishop Chrysanthos and Bishop MelitiosI, outraged by Catholics' claims to sole ownership of the temple, did not cancel permission for Catholic services.

ABOUT The Catholic presence is indicated by the “Jerusalem Cross”, which can still be seen at the northern entrance to the temple and the Latin altar, located in a small chapel adjacent to the altar part of the temple. WITH development of the city, the temple actually ceases to be a monastery, it is only listed as one according to documents, up toXIXcentury.
Three the domes were subsequently destroyed, either by an earthquake, or they were ordered to be demolished by the Turkish invaders (by 1571 the entire island was occupied by the Ottoman Empire).

Arcade near the temple was built during restoration work later.

IN During the period of Ottoman rule in Cyprus, bell ringing and the bell towers themselves were prohibited - the bells in the Church of St. Lazarus were located on wooden structures in the form of pillars - in Larnaca, Turkish influence was not established within such strict limits as in other cities of Cyprus, no one removed the bells. IN 1856 Russia demanded the lifting of this ban. Through Several years later, the construction of the stone bell tower was completed, which was subsequently also destroyed and restored again.

Iconostasis The temple is the embodiment of high skill in wood carving. His creation began in the 1770s and continued for several decades. Covered it is gold and decorated with 120 icons. Altar made in 1773 and is also a standard of wood carving craftsmanship. Icon with the image of Saint Lazarus in vestments covered with crosses - the bishop's robe, an icon telling the story of the resurrection of Lazarus and many other icons decorate the walls of the temple.

The Raising of Lazarus.

Given the event, like almost any other religious plot, can be called a legend, fairy tale, etc. IN In a simplified form, it can be paraphrased as follows:

Lazar and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, were friends of Jesus Christ, who often visited their home in the village of Bethany on the West Bank, 3 km away. from the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem.Ethere is several versions of “how Jesus knew that Lazarus was sick.”PO According to one data, during the illness and subsequent death of Lazarus, Jesus was on the other side of the Jordan and foresaw the illness and death of his friend, “Jesus Christ foresaw by His Divinity,” told the apostles about this and they all went together to Bethany to Lazarus.PO others - when Lazarus became seriously ill, Jesus was already on the way to Bethany along with the Apostles, but did not foresee the extremely painful state of his friend (at least, he did not tell his fellow travelers anything about it). Sisters Lazarus learned that Jesus was heading towards them in the company of the Apostles, and they sent messengers to hurry them up. Marfa and Mary believed that Jesus could cure Lazarus, who was already dying. Sent Lazarus' sisters met the travelers and told them the whole situation. Despite To this end, Jesus ordered the Apostles to stop for a couple of days to rest. On Questioning glances of the Apostles regarding such slowness in such an urgent matter as the cure of Lazarus, Jesus allegedly said: “Lazarus’ illness does not lead to death, but to the glory of God. May the Son of God be glorified through her..." Those., through the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus will once again glorify God and himself. IN As a result, according to the first or second scenario described above, and maybe according to some other scenario, Jesus ended up in Bethany when Lazarus had already died, moreover, he had already begun to decompose. By According to various descriptions, a fetid odor emanated from the burial cave with the entrance covered with a stone: “Lord, Lord, our brother Lazarus, he has been lying in the grave for four days and stinking!” - Martha told Jesus, heAShe no longer believed that in this situation it was possible to somehow return life to her brother’s body. IN In the hot climate of Palestine, the rotting of corpses begins quickly, which is why funerals are carried out immediately - on the day of the person’s death. On the fourth day, in such a climate, the signs of decomposition become so obvious that no sane person, at the sight of such a rotting body, would even think about any resurrection. Skeptical The attitude of Lazarus’s sister Martha to this is understandable. IN response Jesus said: “Your brother will rise again, for I am the Resurrection and the life. Didn't I tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?? » After Therefore, Jesus approached the burial cave and said to remove the stone blocking the entrance to it. Sisters Lazarus agreed, and the stone was removed. Around People crowded together, everyone was closely watching what was happening. Jews standing in the crowd shouted insults at Jesus, some defiantly spat, showing their disgust at what was happening, and the rest simply stopped to watch. Jesus looked at the sky and read a prayer, tears flowed down his cheeks. Through After some time, Jesus approached the open burial cave and said loudly: “Lazarus, get out!” On Before the eyes of numerous people, Lazarus came out of the cave, wrapped in burial shrouds, with a scarf on his head. By According to some sources, he came out slowly, according to others, he ran out as if a man was frightened by something. Jesus said, “Untie him, let him go!” People were so surprised by what had happened that no one could utter a word. Some The Jews, harboring even greater anger at Jesus after what they saw, hurried to Jerusalem. There They told the members of the Sanhedrin (the highest judicial body in the cities of Ancient Judea) about what had happened, and soon a decision was made to kill Jesus. Next For two days Jesus stayed at the house of the resurrected Lazarus. There He told Lazarus to go to Cyprus to avoid persecution by the Jews. Lazarus arrived in Cyprus in 33 AD at the age of 30, where he later held the title of first Bishop of Kitia. Lived Lazarus after the resurrection for another 30 years in the city of Kition (on the site of Kition the city of Larnaca was formed, which once consisted of two cities: Larnaca itself and the port part of Skala, where the Church of St. Lazarus was located). According to According to legends, after arriving in Cyprus, Lazar never smiled, only once a smile appeared on his face when he saw someone stealing a pot - “Clay steals clay!” - he said with a smile. So he took all his meals with honey (or a low-alcohol drink based on it), supposedly “to sweeten his longing for his friend Jesus.” More There is a legend that at that time there was a large vineyard on the site of the Salt Lake in Kition (Larnaca). Lazarus I was walking there and wanted to drink grape juice, so I approached the owner and asked permission. IN The owner's answer was that he had no grapes. When Lazarus pointed to a basket full of grapes standing nearby; the owner said it was salt. Soon the vineyard withered, and in its place a swamp formed, and then a large salt lake, which is now called “ Salt Lake».

Relics of Saint Lazarus.

First the relics of Saint Lazarus were discovered in 890 in a church that was located on the site of the current Church of Saint Lazarus. On The crypt had the inscription “Lazarus, who was dead four days, Friend of Christ.” IN at that time the Emperor of Byzantium was LeoVI Wise. He learned about this find and ordered the Holy Relics to be delivered to the capital of the Empire, Constantinople. In return allocated funds and effort for the construction of a new temple on the site of an existing one. IN In 1972, part of the remains of the Saint were discovered in a sarcophagus under the altar of the Church of St. Lazarus. This suggests that the inhabitants of Kition did not give up all the relics in their entirety. Sarcophagus and is still in its place today. On On one of its sides there is an inscription meaning the word “Friend”. He made to replace the sarcophagus, which was taken to Constantinople by order of LeoVIWise together with part of the relics of Saint Lazarus. From Kition The holy relics were taken to Chrysopolis, then moved to the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia. IN further LeoVIexcept the temple in Kition, built another one, named after the same Saint - in Constantinople, where part of the relics were located until the time when they were captured by the crusaders who conquered the city. They The remains of Saint Lazarus were taken to Marseille, where their further fate is unknown.

Photos and text: Anatoly Sidorov

There are many traditions and legends associated with ancient Christian churches. One of the most wonderful and beautiful belongs to the Church of St. Lazarus in Cyprus. The righteous Lazarus was a friend of Jesus Christ. When he died of illness, Jesus raised him on the fourth day after his burial. That is why Lazarus is also called the Four-Day Lazarus. Having learned about such a miracle, the Jews wanted to kill Lazarus and he had to flee from Jerusalem.

Together with other disciples of Jesus, he went to Cyprus. Upon arrival on the island, Lazarus was elevated by the holy apostles to bishop of the ancient city of Kition, where he lived for 30 years. After his death, Lazarus was buried in a marble tomb. Five centuries later, the Byzantine emperor Leo IV the Wise ordered the construction of a stone church on the burial site of Lazarus.

Serving good

Saint Lazarus was considered the patron saint of the city of Larnaca, and his temple was the cultural, educational, social and religious center of this city. For two and a half centuries, the church founded schools, hospitals and looked after cemeteries. She paid for the education of students, supported those in need and always defended the interests of the townspeople. According to historians, such intense activity was atypical for most Cypriot churches at the time.

Church of St. Lazarus - from antiquity to the present day

The stone temple had 3 domes, with which two legends are associated. The first says that during the war with the Turks, a Turkish officer arrived on the island and mistook the domes of the church for the domes of a mosque. After praying, he drove closer to the temple, realized that he had made a mistake and ordered the domes to be demolished. The second version attributes the absence of domes to an ordinary earthquake.

The Church of St. Lazarus was at one time even a Benedictine monastery and was considered the property of the Roman Catholic Church. This happened during the Venetian occupation of Cyprus. However, in 1589, Cyprus passed to the Turks and the Orthodox Church managed to buy the temple from them for 3,000 silver coins.

Around 1750, Bishop Makarios I of Kition ordered the restoration of the Church of St. Lazarus and the addition of an arcade. Subsequently, the temple was restored several times, but this particular work was the most extensive. The temple has survived in this form to this day. During the next restoration in 1972, several relics of the saint were found. They were placed in a gilded shrine, which is located in the center of the temple next to the southern column under the altar.

Attractions of the shrine

The Byzantine architecture of the temple is so original and beautiful that it produced indelible impression on travelers of those times. The iconostasis of the church, made of carved wood, is a real treasure. It was created by the most talented woodcarver Hadji Savvas Taliadoros. The work took him 9 years. The finished iconostasis was covered with gold and decorated with 120 icons of various sizes. Each of them is a priceless work of art. The altar and the bishop's seat are decorated with beautiful carvings.

Believers who want to venerate the saint go down to the sub-tartar part, where a shrine with his relics is displayed for public viewing. At the entrance to this room, near the eastern wall of the church, there is a holy spring. There are also tombs from the Roman period.

Next to the central altar there is a small chapel where the Latin altar has been preserved. A special treasure of the Church of St. Lazarus is the Byzantine icons, which depict the saint himself and scenes from his life.

Near the northern entrance to the church you can see the ancient emblem of the Latins - the Jerusalem Cross. In the southwestern part of the buildings is the Museum of St. Lazarus. It contains religious objects of Byzantine culture - ancient books, icons, an ancient Gospel, church utensils, vestments and much more. Next to the museum there is a church shop where they sell icons depicting St. Lazarus, copies of Byzantine letters, books and much more.

Archaeologists have found that in past centuries even the walls of the stone temple were decorated with many frescoes. Unfortunately, there is nothing left of them - the high humidity is to blame.

Features of visiting the Church of St. Lazarus

When deciding to visit a temple, you should adhere to the established rules. Women are not allowed to enter the church wearing shorts, short skirts, bare shoulders, or clothing that is too tight. During the service, women and men must sit separately. The place for men is on the right side of the temple, and for women - on the left. In the temple you are not allowed to talk, disturb believers, or take photographs or film the service.

There is a very beautiful custom of weddings in the Church of St. Lazarus. Many travel agencies offer lovers to consecrate their marriage in one of the most famous shrines of Christianity. Newlyweds from all over the world come here to seek divine support and swear eternal love to each other.

Opening hours

• September-March: 08:00-12:30, 14:30-17:00; April-August: 08:00-13:30, 15:30-18:30.

Address

• Larnaca, Plateia Agiou Lazarou.

Navigator coordinates

• Square in front of the church 34.911436 33.635438

Photo album

The main Christian shrine of Larnaca is the Church of St. Lazarus (Agios Lazaros) - located on Agiou Lazarou Square (pi. Agiou Lazarou) two blocks west of the embankment. This place is revered by Christians all over the world: here is the tomb and part of the relics of St. Lazarus the Four-Days, Bishop of Kitia - the same one whom Christ raised from the dead four days after his death.

Raising Lazarus

Jesus Christ loved Lazarus and called him his friend. He often visited the house of his sisters Mary and Martha in a small village in Bethany. When Lazarus died, Jesus and his disciples were in Judea. Sensing the death of his friend, he said to his disciples: “Lazarus, our friend; fell asleep, but I go to wake him up” (John 11:14). And they went to Bethany, where they found the cave in which Lazarus was buried. Further, the Gospel of John tells the following: “Jesus says: Take away the stone. The sister of the deceased, Martha, said to Him: Lord! It already stinks: for it is four days; like he is in the grave. Jesus says to her: Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? So, they took the stone away from the cave where the deceased lay. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: Father! Thank You that You heard Me. I knew that You would always hear Me, but I said this for the people standing here, so that they would believe that You sent Me. Having said this, He cried out with a loud voice: Lazarus! get out. And the dead man came out, entwined on his hands and feet with burial cloths, and his face was tied with a scarf. Jesus says to them: Untie him, let him go. Then many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus had done believed in Him. And some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done” (John 11:39-46). The resurrected Lazarus lived for another three decades, preaching the Word of God. And he ended up in Cyprus because after his resurrection he became persecuted in his homeland.

Saint Lazarus - Bishop of Citium (Larnaca)

The resurrection of Lazarus in Bethany outraged the Jewish high priests and Pharisees. They longed for his death in order to destroy the living testimony of the miraculous power of Christ. According to one version, Lazarus was taken to sea ​​coast near Jaffa, put into a boat without oars and given up to the waves. By divine will, the current washed the boat to the southern coast of Cyprus, not far from Citium (as Larnaca was called under the Romans). According to another version, St. Lazarus, fleeing from reprisals, was forced to flee and, together with the disciple of the Lord Maximin and St. Celidonius, a blind man healed by Christ, went to Cyprus, which is only 105 kilometers from Palestine.

These events took place in 33. And 12 years later, during the First Missionary Journey, the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Barnabas, preaching in Cyprus, visited Citium. Here they met St. Lazarus and ordained him bishop of Citium. It is also possible that he was elevated to the rank of bishop later, in 46, by the apostles Barnabas and Mark, when they returned to Cyprus after a disagreement with the Apostle Paul.

For 18 years (45 - 63 AD) St. Lazarus was the first bishop of Citium. Various legends are associated with his stay in Cyprus. According to one of them, after the resurrection of St. Lazarus never smiled. And only once noticing that someone was stealing peas, he smiled and said: “Clay steals clay.”

According to another legend - “The Tale of the Earthly Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” published in the 19th century by the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon on Holy Mount Athos in Greece, Holy Mother of God at the request of St. Lazarus visited Cyprus. St. Lazarus, says legend, really wanted to see the Mother of God, but fearing reprisals, he could not return to Palestine and was forced to stay on the island. The Mother of God decided to visit Lazarus herself and, leaving the borders of Palestine, accompanied by the Apostle John the Theologian and other companions, set off on a journey through Mediterranean Sea. “There was already a little way left to Cyprus, when suddenly a strong contrary wind blew and the shipmen, with all their efforts and skill, could not cope with the ship. The wind, growing stronger, turned into a storm; and the ship, not biting the earthly helmsman, surrendered to the direction of the finger of God and rushed away from Cyprus. Carried by the force of the storm into the Aegean Sea, he quickly rushed between the numerous islands of the archipelago and, without damage or the slightest loss, landed on the shores of Mount Athos. When the ship approached the Holy Mountain, pagan temples collapsed, and the idols announced the arrival of the Mother of God on Athos. Everyone who saw this miracle believed and accepted Christianity, and Athos has since become the earthly inheritance of the Mother of God.”

On the way back to Jerusalem, the Mother of God fulfilled the request of St. Lazarus to visit Cyprus and blessed the local Church created by the apostles.

After his death in 63, St. Lazarus was buried in the city necropolis, which later received the name “Larnax” - which translated from Greek means “coffin, sarcophagus”. The inscription on the marble tomb of the saint read: “Four-day Lazarus, friend of Christ.” Tomb of St. Lazarus has been revered by Christians since ancient times. In the early Christian period, a small chapel was built above it.

Finding the relics of Saint Lazarus

A few centuries later the chapel collapsed, and the location of the tomb of St. Lazarus and his relics were lost.

A marble sarcophagus with relics was discovered in 890 during construction work on the site of the ancient necropolis of Larnaca. The Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise ordered the relics to be delivered to Constantinople, allowing the sarcophagus to remain in place. It was common practice for Byzantine emperors to collect the relics of all the most important saints in the capital. But the inhabitants of Citium left a small part of the relics in the city. However, some historians still deny this.

In Constantinople, the shrine was kept in a silver shrine in the Church of St. Lazarus, erected even before the discovery of the relics by Emperor Basil I the Macedonian (877 - 886).

The date of the transfer of the relics of righteous Lazarus to Constantinople became a holiday in the church calendar: his memory is celebrated on October 30 (new style). After the sack of Constantinople in 1204, the crusaders took the “Constantinople” part of the relics to Marseille.

Church of St. Lazarus

Emperor Leo VI the Wise in 890 allocated funds for the construction of a new temple over the site of the discovery of the relics of St. Lazarus. The tomb and part of the saint’s relics were preserved in the erected church.

Originally the church of St. Lazarus was a three-nave, three-domed basilica built in the classical Byzantine style. But subsequently it was rebuilt several times: the domes of the church were destroyed several times by earthquakes and then rebuilt according to new designs.

During the period of Venetian rule, the church belonged to the monastery of the monastic Order of the Benedictines, which today at the northern entrance to the temple is reminiscent of the five-cross emblem - the so-called “Jerusalem cross”, and in the small chapel adjacent to the altar, a small Catholic altar is still preserved.

After the capture of Cyprus by the Turks in 1571, when the cities of the island were plundered and destroyed by the invaders, and many Christian shrines were either taken out or hidden by local residents in secluded places, part of the relics of St. Lazarus disappeared without a trace for a long time. The temple itself of St. Lazarus was turned into a mosque under Ottoman rule, and the three domes that crowned it were completely dismantled. But in 1589, Orthodox Christians bought the Church of St. Lazarus among the Turks. There was nothing unusual in this: in this way, during the period of Ottoman rule, the Church of Cyprus managed to return many temples and monasteries.

While the Church of St. Lazarus was located on the outskirts of the city, it functioned as a monastery. But by the beginning of the 18th century the city had grown, and the church, once within its boundaries, became Orthodox cathedral Larnaca. During the entire period of Turkish rule, it was the only church in Cyprus where bell ringing was allowed. Moreover, in the absence of a bell tower (the Turks allowed their construction only in 1856), the bells were attached to wooden pillars standing on pedestals.

Russian traveler V. Grigorovich-Barsky during his stay in Cyprus and visiting the Church of St. Lazarus in 1727 describes it as a huge, high temple, built at a great expense, “like some royal palace" Barsky writes that in the church, under the altar, in a small cave, there is a tomb in which the relics of St. Lazarus. He could not find out where the relics themselves were at that time, but noted that this tomb was held in high esteem by Christians.

V. Grigorovich-Barsky also made sketches of the Church of St. Lazarus. As we have already said, his drawings of Cypriot churches are a gold mine for modern restorers. But, unfortunately, the Church of St. Lazarus in these drawings is depicted in her current form. Shortly before his visit, the church was rebuilt and restored. A large open gallery was added to it from the south. A four-tiered bell tower near the south-eastern wall of the church was erected already in 1857.

Despite later reconstructions, today the Church of St. Lazarus is one of the most striking examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus.

The main decoration of the church's interior is a multi-tiered carved wooden iconostasis, made in the 18th century, one of the most impressive examples of wood carving in Cyprus. The work on the production of the iconostasis took the outstanding Cypriot master Hadjisavvas Taliadoros nine years - from 1773 to 1782. 120 icons for the iconostasis were painted in 1793 - 1797.

It is also necessary to note several wonderful icons in the Church of St. Lazarus. On the right column south entrance hangs a magnificent icon of “Christ Raising Lazarus.” On the northern pillar in the center of the temple there is an icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” painted in the 18th century in Russia.

On the southern wall of the temple, right next to the altar barrier, hangs a large, very well-painted icon - Lazarus in the rank of Bishop of Kitia. He is depicted on it in a bishop's chair, flanked by his sisters Mary and Martha.

In 1972, when restoration work was underway, in the cave under the altar, under the same empty sarcophagus that V. Grigorovich-Barsky may have had in mind, another sarcophagus was found, in which part of the relics of St. Lazarus. For the relics, a gilded silver ark in the form of a bishop's miter was specially made and a carved gilded reliquary (tomb) with a canopy and a small Byzantine dome topped with a cross was built. Today the relics of St. Lazarus is exhibited for public worship in the center of the temple near the southern column.

Entrance to the underground part of the temple to the tomb of St. Lazarus is located in the southern part of Solea. Several stone steps lead to a low, dark, semi-dark part covered with a modern concrete vault. There are two stone sarcophagi here, one of them contained the relics of St. Lazarus. On its eastern side, even today you can make out the inscription “Friend” in Greek letters.

A holy spring flows near the eastern wall at the entrance to the underground room.

In gratitude for the healing to the tomb and icon of St. Wax figures of people and body parts are brought to Lazarus in the temple. You can buy candles on the next street in a candle workshop, northeast of the Church of St. Lazarus. It produces wax figurines and candles: from ordinary to huge, festive ones, more than a meter high and several centimeters in diameter.

Byzantine Museum of the Church of St. Lazarus

To the left of the temple, in the premises of the former monastery, there is a small church museum dedicated to the centuries-old history of the temple. Its exhibition includes ancient icons, church vestments and utensils. A rare image of St. is kept here. Lazarus, written in the 12th century, and where the saint is depicted in bishop’s vestments. On another ancient icon, badly damaged by a fire, the first image of St. was miraculously preserved. Lazarus, blessing the emperor with his right hand, and holding the Gospel in his left.

To the right of the temple is a small church store. Here, in addition to the traditional, commercial set of icons and souvenirs, you can buy a unique disc with a recording of Cypriot sacred music made in the Church of St. Lazarus.

Church of St. Lazarus played a significant role in the social life of Larnaca. From the 18th century to the mid-20th century, it was the religious, national and educational center of the city. As the Cypriot historian N. Kyriazis writes in the book “The City of Larnaca in the Light of Historical Documents”: “Not many churches in Cyprus display such a diverse activity as the Church of St. Lazarus. She founded and supported schools, took care of hospitals and cemeteries, helped the poor, defended the interests of the townspeople, and helped all those in need.” For centuries, visiting this church was an obligatory part of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is evidenced by both numerous medieval sources and Catholic monastery Terra Santa in Larnaca, founded especially for pilgrims.

Church of St. Lazarus is still the most important spiritual center of the city today. Baptisms and marriages are filled with special meaning here. Everyone who comes feels like a part of Orthodox culture.

The Russian Orthodox Center operates at the church.

St. Lazarus is considered the patron saint of Larnaca. On the Saturday before Palm Sunday, the city celebrates the Resurrection of Lazarus. A religious procession follows along the city streets, the participants of which carry icons of the saint.

After his resurrection, Lazarus lived another 30 years. He was a bishop in Cyprus and preached Christianity.

After his death, the relics of Bishop Lazarus were placed in a Marble Ark, on which was written: “Lazarus of the Four Days, friend of Christ.” In the 9th century, the Byzantine emperor Leo the Wise ordered the relics of Lazarus to be transferred to Constantinople. And in the city of Kition (now Larnaca) a temple was built in honor of Christ’s friend Lazarus.

The church was built on the saint's tomb itself. This temple is a place of pilgrimage for believers.

The temple was built around 890. The English consul in Syria, Alexander Drumond, who visited Cyprus in 1745, wrote with admiration about the Church of Lazarus: “I have never seen anything like it!”

The iconostasis of the church is considered an example of the most skillful wood carving. The temple houses several ancient Byzantine icons. Directly below the iconostasis there is a small church carved into the rock - steps lead there from the right side of the iconostasis. It contains two sarcophagi. Lazarus was once buried in one of them.

Around the temple there are still several buildings of the monastery that existed here many years ago. One of them now houses a museum. A small cemetery with stunningly beautiful carved stone sarcophagi has also been preserved on the territory of the church.

The ringing of the bells of the Church of St. Lazarus can be heard in all corners of Larnaca. The life of the townspeople is closely connected with this temple: children are baptized here, weddings take place, and a huge number of believers gather here for Sunday and holiday services.

The first Christian archbishop, and after his death, the heavenly patron of the city, was Lazarus, resurrected by Christ. The most famous tomb in Larnaca is the tomb of St. Lazarus. She is in Church of St. Lazarus, which was built around 900. The Church of St. Lazarus and his tomb can be seen in the city center.

Righteous Lazarus. The resurrection in Bethany, in a small village southeast of Jerusalem, of the righteous Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, whom the Lord himself called his friend, greatly outraged the Jews. Exposed to mortal danger, after the murder of the holy protomartyr Stephen, Saint Lazarus was taken to the sea coast, put in a boat without oars and removed from the borders of Judea. By divine will, Saint Lazarus, together with the Lord’s disciple Maximin and Saint Celidonius, a blind man healed by the Lord, sailed to the shores of Cyprus. Having been thirty years old before his resurrection, he lived on the island for more than thirty years. Here Saint Lazarus met the holy apostles Paul and Barnabas. They elevated him to the position of bishop of the city of Kitia (Kition, called Hetim by the Jews). The ruins of the ancient city of Kition were discovered during archaeological excavations and are available for inspection.

The following legend is associated with the name of the righteous Lazarus. Arriving on the island on a hot summer day, and walking around the outskirts of Kition in search of shelter, righteous Lazarus wanted to quench his thirst. Not finding a source nearby, he asked a bunch of grapes from a woman working near his house. She refused the saint his modest request, citing crop failure and drought. When leaving, righteous Lazarus said: “So, as punishment for your lies, let the vineyard dry up and turn into a salt lake.” Since then, five kilometers west of Larnaca, Cypriots have shown the Salt Lake to pilgrims and tourists and are famous for their hospitality. From December to March, hundreds of white and pink flamingos spend the winter here. From the road leading to the city and the airport there is a magnificent view of the mountains reflected in the lake, dominated by the peak of the Holy Cross with the Stavrovouni monastery.

Righteous Lazarus really wanted to meet the Mother of God, but due to persecution he could not leave the island. Having received a message from the Most Holy Theotokos and sent a ship for Her from Kition, he awaited Her arrival. Having left the borders of Palestine, the Most Holy Theotokos, accompanied by the Apostle John the Theologian and other companions, set off on a journey across the Mediterranean Sea. In “Tales of the Earthly Life of the Most Holy Theotokos,” published by the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Athos, further events are described as follows: “There was already a little way left to Cyprus, when suddenly a strong contrary wind blew, and the shipmen, with all their efforts and skill, could not cope with The wind, strong, turned into a storm; and the ship, not listening to the earthly helmsman, surrendered to the direction of the finger of God and rushed away from Cyprus into the Aegean Sea, it quickly rushed between the numerous islands of the archipelago and, without damage or the slightest loss. , landed on the shores of Mount Athos." By the will of God, the Ever-Virgin Herself laid the foundation for monastic life on the Holy Mountain. Returning to Jerusalem, the Mother of God visited Cyprus, blessed the local Church created by the apostles and handed over to Saint Lazarus the bishop's omophorion sewn by her hands.

After his death, righteous Lazarus was buried in the vicinity of Kition, in a place that later received the name “Larnax” - “coffin, sarcophagus”. On the marble tomb of the saint there was an inscription: “Four-day Lazarus, friend of Christ.”

According to legend, it was found at the burial place of St. Lazarus in 392. Cyprus icon of the Mother of God. On it, the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted sitting on a throne with the Infant God, and on either side stand two angels with branches in their hands. The celebration of the icon takes place on May 3/April 20 (Old Art.). Copies of the icon were distributed to many countries. In Russia, the Cypriot image of the Virgin Mary is known, kept in the Moscow Assumption Cathedral. In the village of Stromyn, Moscow region, on July 22/9 (old style) and on the 1st Sunday of Great Lent, a celebration of the miraculous Cypriot icon is celebrated.

The relics of righteous Lazarus were found in 898, under the Byzantine Emperor Leo IV the Wise (886-911) and transferred to the city of Constantinople, where a silver shrine was built for them, and earlier a temple was built in honor of the saint under Emperor Basil I the Macedonian (867- 886). On the day of the transfer of the holy relics of the saint from Cyprus to Constantinople, October 30/17 (O.S.), his memory is celebrated. Later, the Frankish crusaders took the relics to the Mediterranean port city of Marseille.

A stone temple was built in honor of the righteous Lazarus over the tomb of St. Lazarus in Cyprus in the 9th century. At the beginning of the 1970s (namely in 1972), during restoration work in the temple, stone tombs were discovered under the altar, in one of which part of the relics of St. Lazarus was found. A silver-gilded ark in the form of a bishop's miter was specially made for them and a carved gilded shrine (tomb) was built, with a canopy and a small Byzantine dome topped with a cross. The relics of Saint Lazarus are constantly displayed for public veneration in the center of the temple near the southern column. Along a specially constructed passage at the base of the temple, the entrance to which is located in the southern part of the sole, pilgrims descend several steps into a low, semi-dark sub-part, covered with a modern concrete vault. At the eastern wall, at the entrance to this underground room, there is a holy spring enclosed in a pipe. There are rectangular stone tombs with heavy lids dating back to the Roman period. There is a custom to bring to the tomb and to the icon of St. Lazarus in the temple, in gratitude for the healing, wax-cast figurines of people and body parts, and they stand in abundance in this place. The candle workshop is located on the next street, a few tens of meters, northeast of the Temple of Lazarus. It produces wax figurines and various candles. Among them, huge holiday candles stand out, more than a meter high and several centimeters in diameter.

The temple in honor of righteous Lazarus, built of massive stone blocks, was rebuilt several times, but basically retained the three-nave basilica of the 9th century. The outside of the temple has undergone some changes over its centuries-old history. The three domes that crowned the temple have been completely dismantled. A large open gallery is attached to it from the south. There is a high, four-tiered bell tower near the southeastern wall. What especially stands out in the decoration of the temple is the multi-tiered carved wooden iconostasis, installed in the 18th century. On the northern pillar in the center of the temple hangs an icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria” in a frame, painted in the 18th century in Russia. From the south and west, the Temple of Lazarus is surrounded by two-story buildings. Part of the western building is occupied by a small church-archaeological museum telling about the history of the temple. Its exhibition includes ancient icons of the righteous Lazarus and other saints, church vestments and utensils. A rare image of St. Lazarus, painted in the 12th century, is also kept here. On the icon he is depicted in bishop's vestments. On another ancient icon, badly damaged by a fire, the image of St. Lazarus was miraculously preserved. With his right hand he blesses (the emperor), and in his left he holds the Gospel. The rector of the temple is Archimandrite Lazar.

Also, special attention should be paid to the iconostasis, consisting of 120 icons, which is a wonderful example of ancient wood carving. The most valuable icon is considered to be one dating back to 1734, in which Saint Lazarus is depicted in the rank of Bishop of Kition. In addition, the church houses a small museum containing magnificent Byzantine religious art, including ancient wood carvings, icons and church utensils. And next to the cathedral there are burial places of a number of Europeans who lived in the city in the 17th and 18th centuries. Saint Lazarus himself is considered the patron saint of Larnaca, and the celebration of his Resurrection takes place in the city on a grand scale. This happens a week before Orthodox Easter.

Address: Plateia Agiou Lazarou
Opening hours of the church and museum: September-March: 08.00-12.30, 14.30-17.00, April-August: 08.00-13.30, 15.30-18.30
the entrance is free

On the eve of Palm Sunday, on the day of the resurrection of Lazarus, there is a big holiday in Larnaca.
If you enter the church on the left, then after entering immediately to the right there is a sign TOMB AGIOS LAZARIOS. Visitors can go down into the tomb, see the sarcophagus and a spring of holy water. The relics are in the temple. Go down into the dungeon, be sure to take with you an empty container (plastic bottle), and collect holy water.
I saw photographs on the Internet in which a man climbed into the middle of a coffin and claimed that the place there was more fertile. You can’t do that, because you’ll end up in a coffin faster.

It is especially interesting to attend a wedding. Cypriots in suits, ladies in dresses, and the whole floor in flowers.

Next to the church is the Agios Lazaros Church Museum.
Museum opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 8.00 - 12.30 and 15.30 - 18.30, tel.: 24 652498.

As part of the work of the Russian Orthodox Educational Center in Larnaca at the Church of St. Lazarus, Tuesdays and Saturdays, from April to October in the Church of St. Lazarus at 9:00 there is a free tour of the temple Zykova Natalya Vladimirovna and talks about the history of Orthodoxy in Cyprus. She will also help organize a pilgrimage to any monastery in Cyprus. They even have specially designed routes that accommodate many shrines. You can contact them by phone. in Cyprus +357 24 622548, mobile. +357 99 831916.

Where is the Church of St. Lazarus located?

Map of how to get to the Church of St. Lazarus:


The arrow indicates the city beach and Finikoudes embankment.

What time do services begin on Sundays?

At 6:30 am. The liturgy is conducted in Greek.

On this day we celebrate the resurrection of the holy righteous Lazarus of the Four Days, a friend of Christ. He was a Jew by birth, a Pharisee by religion, the son of the Pharisee Simon, as they say somewhere, from Bethany. When our Lord Jesus Christ made His earthly journey for the salvation of the human race, Lazarus became His friend in this way. Since Christ often talked with Simon, for he also hoped for the resurrection of the dead, and came to their house many times, Lazarus, together with his two sisters, Martha and Mary, fell in love with Him as if they were his own.

The saving Passion of Christ was approaching, when it was time for the mystery of the resurrection to be revealed with certainty. Jesus stayed beyond the Jordan, having first raised the daughter of Jairus and the son of a widow (of Nain) from the dead. His friend Lazarus, having become seriously ill, died. Jesus, although he was not there, says to the disciples: Lazarus, our friend, fell asleep, and after a while he said again: Lazarus is dead (John 11: 11, 14). Called by his sisters, Jesus, leaving the Jordan, came to Bethany. Bethany was near Jerusalem, fifteen stages away (John 11:18). And Lazarus’ sisters met Him, saying: “Lord! if You had been here, our brother would not have died. But even now, if You please, You will raise it up, for you can do everything” (cf. John 11:21-22). Jesus asked the Jews, “Where have you laid it?” (John 11:34). Then everyone went to the tomb. When they wanted to roll away the stone, Martha said: Lord! already stinks; for he has been in the tomb for four days (John 11:39). Jesus, having prayed and shed tears over the one lying down, cried out in a loud voice: Lazarus! get out (John 11:43). And immediately the deceased came out, they untied him, and he went home.

This unheard-of miracle aroused envy among the Jews, and they decided to kill Jesus; but He again, evading them, left. The high priests also planned to kill Lazarus, since many, seeing him, believed in Christ. But Lazarus, having learned about their plan, retired to the island of Cyprus and lived there, and was subsequently appointed by the apostles as bishop of the city of Kitiy (Kitiya is a city on south coast islands of Cyprus, near the present town of Larnaca); Having lived holy and godly, thirty years after he came to life, he died again and was buried in Cyprus, having performed (at the same time) many miracles. Tradition says that after the resurrection he maintained strict abstinence and that the (bishop's) omophorion was given to him by the Most Pure Mother of God, made with Her own hands. Emperor Leo the Wise, after one divine vision, transferred the honest and holy relics of Lazarus from Cyprus to Constantinople, to the temple created by the king in the name of this saint, placing them with honor in a precious shrine to the right of the entrance, opposite the holy altar. And now his honorable relics still remain there, exuding some inexplicable fragrance.

Our holy and God-bearing fathers, or rather the holy apostles, established the celebration of the resurrection of Lazarus on today, after a forty-day fast for purification, intending to celebrate the holy Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since they considered the resurrection of Lazarus to be the first and main reason for the malicious intent of the Jews against Christ, they placed here this extraordinary miracle, which is described by one Evangelist John (The Holy Apostle John the Theologian wrote the Gospel later than everyone else, after the death of Lazarus. (John’s death followed at the beginning of II centuries). The time of writing the first three Gospels: Matthew - about 41; Luke - 61-62. Righteous Lazarus reposed in 63 AD), while other evangelists omit , - after all (with them) Lazarus was still alive, and he could actually be seen. For then it was necessary to prove (According to Sophronius, John the Theologian wrote his Gospel in opposition to the heresy of the Ebionites, who claim that Christ did not exist before the birth of Mary) that Christ is the Son of God and God, that He has risen and there will be a resurrection of the dead, which is better Lazarus convinced everything. - They say that the entire Gospel (of John) was written for (assurance in this) since other evangelists do not mention the beginningless birth of Christ at all.
Lazarus did not tell anything about those in hell, since he either did not have to see those there, or was ordered to remain silent about what he saw.
Hence, any person who has recently died is called Lazarus, and funeral clothing is called the mysterious word lazaroma (Lazaroma (Heb.) - funeral clothing, a shroud, which the Jews usually wrapped around the bodies of the deceased.) - to remind of the first Lazarus. For just as he, at the word of Christ, rose and came to life again, so this one, although he died, will live forever, having been resurrected at the last trumpet.
Christ God, through the prayers of Your friend Lazarus, have mercy on us. Amen.

Bethany

The town of Bethany, both in the time of Christ and today, is located on the only central road that rises from the Jericho Valley and leads to Jerusalem. Thus, everyone who wanted to get to Jerusalem or Jericho had to use this road.
Christ often walked on it, but that was not the only reason. Bethany was the homeland of His beloved friend Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. Here the Savior was invited to the house of Simon the leper; “When Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster flask of precious ointment and poured it on His head as he reclined. Seeing this, His disciples were indignant and said: Why such a waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a high price and given to the poor. But Jesus, realizing this, said to them: Why are you embarrassing the woman? She did a good deed for Me: for you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me; pouring this ointment on My body, she prepared Me for burial; Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of in her memory” (Cf. Matthew 26:6-13).
But the most important event connecting the Lord with Bethany is the miracle of the resurrection of His friend Lazarus.

During his earthly life, the Lord did not spend time more calmly and happily, in human terms, anywhere than in Bethany, in a family consisting of three persons: Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus; “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (Cf. John 11:5).From the legends of St. Evangelists know about this pious family.
The faith of these sisters in Jesus Christ was so ardent and sincere that when their brother Lazarus fell ill, their first duty was to notify Jesus Christ of his illness, trusting only in Him alone that He could give relief to their brother. But the Lord came to Bethany when Lazarus had fallen asleep and had been lying in the tomb for four days. The Lord came to reveal His Glory.
Initially, the tomb of Lazarus was an ordinary Jewish family grave, carved into the rock. The tomb of Lazarus is located at a depth of 3 m, 27 steps lead to it.
In the Byzantine era (IV-VII centuries), the tomb of Lazarus, a place of pilgrimage, was surrounded by a wall. Until the twelfth century, the tomb existed almost unchanged, above it was the Basilica of Lazarion. In the thirteenth century it was abandoned and practically forgotten. Three hundred years later, on its ruins, Muslims built a mosque, inside which is the tomb of Lazarus.
On the site of the house in which Lazarus’ family lived, a Greek Orthodox church was erected. convent. Opposite the monastery is the place where Christ met with Martha and Mary.
After the murder of St. Archdeacon Stephen, when the persecution of Jerusalem Christians began, St. Lazarus was expelled from Judea and put into the sea on a boat without oars. By God's will, the boat sailed to the island of Cyprus, where in the city of Kydonia St. Lazarus began preaching Christ as an apostle, and was ordained to the rank of bishop by the Apostle Barnabas.
Living on the island of Cyprus, St. Lazarus passionately desired to see the Most Holy Theotokos, whom he had not seen for a long time, and he himself was afraid to come to Jerusalem to meet with Her. The Most Holy Theotokos, realizing this desire of St. Lazarus, wrote a letter to him, in which, consoling him, she commanded him to send a ship for Her, on which she could come to him on the island of Cyprus, and she forbade him to come to Jerusalem for Her.
Having read this message, St. Lazarus was very happy, and also surprised at such humility of the Most Holy Theotokos; Without any delay, he equipped and sent a ship for Her. The Most Holy Theotokos, together with the Apostle and Evangelist John and some other companions, set off on this ship to sail to the island of Cyprus. On the way, due to contrary winds, the Mother of God had to land at Mount Athos. After a short stay on this mountain, the Mother of God sailed by ship to the island of Cyprus. Here She met with Lazarus, who was grieving over Her long journey, told him about Her stay on Mount Athos and presented him with gifts that She had made especially for him with Her own hands - an omophorion and armlets. Having stayed briefly in Cyprus, the Mother of God returned to Jerusalem.
After the stay of the Mother of God, St. Lazarus spent four days as a bishop on the island of Cyprus for about thirty years, preaching Christ and confirming the faith of the pagans he converted, in which his sisters Mary and Martha zealously helped him. Where, when and how Lazarus’ sisters ended their lives is unknown. Lazarus himself rested in peace on the island of Cyprus.
Under Emperor Leo the Philosopher (886-911), the relics of St. Lazarus of four days were transferred from Cyprus to Constantinople.

(Lives of the Holy Glorious and All-Valuable Apostles. - M., Lestvitsa, 2005).

Iconography of the holiday

The first Christians began to depict the Resurrection of Lazarus on the walls of the Roman catacombs. The canon that emerged in Byzantium brings to the fore, firstly, the everyday reality of the event, and secondly, its deep meaning, associated with the very essence of the Christian faith. Russian artists also followed this canon.
In Russian iconography of this topic, there are several versions, differing mainly in the position of the figures and the tomb of Lazarus. As a rule, a dark cave opening and young men are depicted holding the lid of a coffin. Resurrected in white shrouds - light as a disembodied soul; he still has to get used to his life back. Martha and Mary reverently bowing at the feet of the Savior. Witnesses - among them those who now believe, and enemies who have become even more strengthened in their desire to deal with Jesus. The apostles - it was for the sake of their faith, as well as for Lazarus himself, that Christ performed the miracle of resurrection! And finally, He is calm, detached and thoughtful, extending his hand with a gesture of hope and compassion.
The best Russian icons of the Raising of Lazarus are imbued with bright concentration, awareness of the greatness of what is happening and what is yet to come - such, for example, as the Novgorod icon of the late 15th century or the contemporary icon of the Moscow school from the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery.

(“Masterpieces of Russian icon painting”, 2008).

Troparion for the resurrection of righteous Lazarus, tone 1:
Assuring the general resurrection before Your passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ our God. Likewise, we, like the youths of victory who bear signs of victory, cry out to You, the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Troparion to Lazarus of the Four Days, bishop. Kitiysky:
How great is the treasure and wealth that is not stolen / came to us from Cyprus, Lazarus, / By the providence of all God, by the command of the pious king, / giving free healing to those who honor you, / delivering from troubles and from all harm, / by faith crying to you: / save everyone with your prayers , Our Father Lazarus.

From Saturday of the sixth week of Lent to Easter services Orthodox Church are dedicated to the events that preceded the saving suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, His very suffering and death.

The Gospel of John (XI, 1-44) tells how Christ, in the last days of his life, raised the dead Lazarus. The Lord loved Lazarus and his family and visited him often. But Lazarus fell ill and died. Four days have passed since his death. The Lord came to the grave cave and said: Take away the stone. When the stone was removed, Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: Father! I thank You that You heard Me. Having said this, He cried out with a loud voice: Lazarus! come (go) out. And the dead man came out, entwined on his hands and feet with burial cloths, and his face was tied with a scarf. Jesus, turning to those around Him, said: Untie him, let him go.

The news of this miracle instantly spread throughout Judea... It was after the resurrection of Lazarus that the high priests and Pharisees made the final decision to kill Jesus. The power of darkness is coming, and with it the last days of the Savior’s life.

Fulfilling the law of the Old Testament public worship (Ex. XXIII, 17) and doing the will of the Father who sent Him, Jesus Christ during the days of his earthly life went to the Old Testament Easter holiday in Jerusalem. Four Easters cover the time of the Gospel saving sermon, which He began after His Baptism and continued until His Ascension. So Jesus Christ went to Jerusalem and on the feast of His last Passover, despite the fact that the Divine glory of His teaching and miracles, which had already spread everywhere in the Promised Land, strongly armed the envious Jewish elders against Him, who had long been plotting and trying to put Him to death. The last journey of Jesus Christ on Easter further revealed and increased His Divine glory, and also increased the envy and hatred of the scribes towards Him. The first event during this journey, which especially glorified the Lord and increased the anger of the Jewish Sanhedrin against Him, was the resurrection of Lazarus, performed by the Lord in the presence of a large crowd and converting many to faith in Jesus Christ (John XI, 45).

Lazarus was a Jew and a Pharisee, the son of Simeon the Pharisee (Matthew XXVI, 6), originally from Bethany. The Lord often during the days of His earthly life went to the house of Lazarus, whom He loved with his sisters and called His friend (John XI, 3.5.11). The Lord allowed him to die, so that the Son of God might be glorified and His disciples might believe (John XI, 4.15). Hearing about the resurrection of Lazarus, the Jewish high priests and elders said about Jesus Christ: what have you done!; for this man does many signs. If we leave him like this, everyone will believe in him: and the Romans will come and take away our place and our language (John XI, 47-48). Bishop Caiaphas gave the Sanhedrin advice that served as a prophecy about the saving power of the Death on the Cross of Jesus Christ: you know nothing; neither do you think, as we have not, that one man may die for the people, and not the whole tongue perish (John XI, 49-50) . From that day they decided to kill Jesus Christ without fail, promulgating the command to take Him wherever they saw Him (John XI, 53). The resurrection of Lazarus so embittered the scribes and high priests that they decided to kill not only the Resurrector, but also the resurrected one (John XII, 10).

Lazarus retired to the island of Cyprus, where he was subsequently appointed bishop by the apostles. Our Lady gave him an omophorion made by her hands. Lazarus lived for 30 years after the resurrection and maintained strict abstinence. He reposed for the second time in Cyprus. In the 9th century, the Byzantine emperor Leo the Philosopher transferred the relics of righteous Lazarus from Cyprus to Constantinople.

The Orthodox Church, at the end of Lent, entering the week of the suffering and death of the Lord, begins its sacred memories of the resurrection of Lazarus, which served as the beginning of a decisive uprising of the Jewish council for the destruction of the Savior and even Lazarus.

The Church has remembered the resurrection of Lazarus since ancient Christian times. 4th century Church Fathers St. Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium, St. John Chrysostom, bl. Augustine and others left us their teachings, delivered on Lazarus Saturday. “Today,” says St. Chrysostom, Lazarus, raised from the dead, destroyed for us many and various temptations.” In the 5th century St. Andrei Kritsky also wrote a conversation on the four days of Lazarus and a canon, now performed by the Church. In the 8th century, Cosmas of Maium and John of Damascus also wrote canons for the day of Lazarus’ Resurrection, which are now performed by the Church. At the end of the 9th century, the Byzantine emperor Leo the Philosopher transferred the relics of St. righteous Lazarus from Cyprus to Constantinople, composed on the day of his resurrection some of the sacred hymns now used by St. Church.

According to the voice of the Church, through the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus Christ wanted, among other things, to show God and man in Himself, to assure His disciples of His future resurrection, of everyone in the general resurrection of the dead, to show sinners the image of spiritual resurrection. Indeed, in His person, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed in the most obvious way Divinity and Humanity at the tomb of Lazarus. As an omniscient God, He announced to His disciples about the death of Lazarus, without being notified of it. The Lord comes to Bethany. Martha and Mary - the sisters of the deceased Lazarus and others publicly confess Jesus Christ as the Almighty and the Son of God. Lord, says Martha, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now we know that whatever you ask from God, God will give it to you. Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world. Mary says the same thing, falling at the feet of the Savior. Likewise, other Jews talk about Him among themselves: see how much you love him; Is it not possible for this one to open the eyes of the blind, so that this one will not die? Then Jesus Christ Himself publicly calls Himself the giver of life. Your brother will be resurrected, He says to console Martha: I am the resurrection and the life: believe in Me, even if he dies, he will live. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Finally, as the true God, Jesus Christ, after a short prayer to the Heavenly Father, with his omnipotent word, resurrects Lazarus on the fourth day after his death. “To You, Master, all things are possible, everything is possible,” says the Church, “Your voice destroyed the kingdom of hell and the word of Your power raised the four-day-old from the tomb, and Lazarus brought about the saving transformation of existence.”

As a true man, Jesus Christ came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived and died, and seeing the sister of his dead friend crying and those who came with her crying, He Himself became indignant, shed tears, and like an ignorant one asked: where will you lay him? Thus the Lord appeared at the tomb of Lazarus, “assuring us of His two beings,” says the Church. How did the man ask: where was I buried, and how did God resurrect the four-day-old? As the synaxar says on Saturday of the resurrection of Lazarus:

Weep, O Jesus, this mortal being:

Having revived Thy friend, this is a divine fortress, resurrection.

Through the apostolic reading at the Liturgy this Saturday, the Church preaches about the establishment of the eternal kingdom of the New Testament - an unshakable kingdom, and the imams give grace, with which we serve God pleasingly, with reverence and fear (Heb. XII, 28; XIII, 8); the final establishment of this kingdom of grace began with the resurrection of Lazarus. By reading the Gospel, the Church preaches about the event of the resurrection of Lazarus.

Entrance to the temple is free; a ticket to the Museum of St. Lazarus costs 1 euro. Discounts for excursion groups.

Renting a car will cost 25-30 euros.

A bus ticket costs 1.50 euros (one-time) and 5 euros for a full day ride. Night bus trips (and there are such trips) cost 2.50 euros.

Parking is free, but there may not be enough space. Paid parking costs €0.50.

Time to touch religious shrines (opening hours)

The temple is open to pilgrims and tourists all year round from 8:00 to 18:30 (from April to August). Break from 12:30 to 15:30.

In other months, its opening hours are reduced to 17:00, with a break from 12:30 to 14:30.

The church museum is open all days of the week except Sunday. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: from 8:15 to 17:30. Break from 12:30 to 15:00.

On Wednesday and Saturday the museum is open from 8:15 to 12:30.

How long will it take to get to the holy place?

You won’t need much time to visit the famous landmark of Larnaca. The church is located in the city center, the journey will take about 15-20 minutes, no matter what area of ​​Larnaca you are in. And your stay in the temple depends on whether the service is going on or not, whether you are in the mood for communication with God or whether you choose a different place and a different time for this. You can explore the temple building and famous relics within 1-2 hours.

The history of the Church of St. Lazarus from century to century

Who is Lazarus? Why is there such interest in his relics all over the world? Let's start with the legend of Lazarus.

The name of the saint comes from the Hebrew name Eleazar - “God helped me.” The righteous Lazarus lived in Bethany. During the epidemic, he falls ill and dies. At this time, Jesus Christ, his friend and mentor, comes to the city. Having learned about the death of Lazarus, Christ goes to his grave and resurrects the deceased.

The Jews were outraged by the unacceptable “miracle.” Due to persecution, Lazarus goes into wanderings. He moves to Cyprus, where he preaches the teachings of Christ. He was only 30 years old.

According to legend, in 45 AD. (Lazarus was already 42 years old) Paul and Barnabas promoted him to the rank of Bishop of Kition (as Larnaca was called at that time). He dies for the second time in 63 AD. The Church of Saint Lazarus appears on the site of his tomb.

The transfer of part of his relics to Constantinople, then to Marseilles gave rise to the legend about Lazarus preaching the teachings of Christ in Marseilles.