Lazarus Saturday takes place the day before Palm Sunday, commemorating Christ’s raising of his friend Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:1-45). Traditionally, the Eastern Orthodox Church uses this day to baptize converts since baptism symbolizes one’s rising from the dead, as did Lazarus. Colossians 2:13 reads, “You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” In the same vein, the Troparia of St. Lazarus exclaims, “Oh, Christ-God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection.”

The celebration of Lazarus Saturday shown in these photos took place on 4/16/11 at St. Ignatius of Antioch, a mission parish of the Antiochian Archdiocese.