MOSCOW, 11 APR — RIA Novosti. Orthodox Christians remember on Saturday, the resurrection of the righteous Lazarus, in churches in connection with this event will be the Divine Liturgy. The Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill on this day will have a festive evening service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Traditionally, on the evening of this day, on the eve of the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (palm Sunday) in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church consecrated the branches of the willows. However, this year the pandemic coronavirus has made to this practice adjustments: the Moscow Patriarchate is offering to the faithful to pray at home and not attending the temples, and the branches of the willows to consecrate themselves.
“on the eve of the feast of the Entry into Jerusalem, his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill will make all-night vigil in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. According to tradition, during worship will be blessing the palms (branches of the willows — ed.)”, — told RIA Novosti in press service of prestates.
According to the head of the Synodal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate on relations of the Church with society and the media Legoida, to sanctify willow and cakes, you need to read the troparion “General resurrection” and to sprinkle them with Holy water with a brief prayer.
“Priests are advised to read the troparion “General resurrection” and sprinkled with willow, and then the cakes of Holy water with the words “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit,” — said Legoyda RIA Novosti. The branches of the willows in Russia replaced the palm branches that the people of Jerusalem were met is included in Jesus ‘ hometown.
Also the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church advised the believers not to forget that the spiritual meaning of the feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem and the Resurrection of Christ “is not only getting willow and the consecrated cake”.
the Remembrance of the resurrection of Lazarus at the same time marks the end of lent, after two holidays of Lazarus Saturday and the Entry into Jerusalem, the believers there comes the last week before Easter, the most strict lent — Holy week.
According to the gospel narrative, shortly before his last visit to Jerusalem Jesus raised Lazarus who was his friend. Lazarus lived with his sisters Martha and Mary in the village of Bethany, and died four days before the arrival of Christ. Jesus came to the cave where Lazarus had been buried, was ordered to remove before the entrance stone, cried out, “Lazarus! come (go) out,” and Lazarus came out of the cave, all wrapped with linen cloths.
It was after the resurrection of Lazarus the chief priests and Pharisees made the final decision to kill Christ. Lazarus, who also wanted to take a life, went to Cyprus, where later the apostles made him Bishop. According to Church tradition, he until the last day of his life he concealed his face with a handkerchief as the four-day stay in the coffin has not passed for it completely.
According to Church bylaws, on Lazarus Saturday, believers are allowed to eat fish ROE, and the next day, on palm Sunday — fish.
