De sancto Lazaro episcopo et disci
The Meaning and Lineage of Lazarus
The name Lazarus signifies divine help in repentance, and he is introduced as a noble figure connected to the family of Mary Magdalene and Martha.
The name Lazarus means 'one helped by God,' and it represents a life of repentance during the day of salvation—that is, the day of repentance. When the true Sun of Justice shines on those who repent, God helps and assists them by granting His grace, justifying them in this world and the next. Saint Lazarus came from a noble, royal family, sharing his heritage with his sisters, Mary Magdalene and Martha; they were born to a father named Syrus and a mother named Eucharia, and were baptized by the blessed Maximinus, a disciple of the Lord. Lazarus, however, owned part of the city of Jerusalem and served in the military. As for how much he was loved by our Lord Jesus Christ, the most blessed John the Evangelist...
The Resurrection of the Friend of God
The narrative recounts the Gospel account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after four days in the tomb.
Chapter 11 describes this, saying that a man named Lazarus was ill. His sisters sent word to the Lord, saying, 'Lord, look, he whom You love is ill.' Jesus, the Savior of the world, replied, 'This illness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' And later He said to His disciples, 'Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I am going so that I may wake him from sleep.' When He had arrived at the place, and the sisters of Saint Lazarus had adored Him with great tears, saying complainingly, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died,' He approached the place and raised Saint Lazarus, who had already been dead for four days.
Mission and Martyrdom in Marseille
Following the persecution of the early Church, Lazarus is miraculously brought to Marseille, where he serves as bishop and eventually dies.
After the Lord's Ascension, when the persecution of Christians was severe, the Jews wanted to betray Saint Lazarus along with his sisters and a great multitude of Christians, so they placed them in a boat without oars; but by divine command and guided by an angel, they arrived at Marseille. Preaching Christ our Savior, he became the first bishop of Marseille, and after a praiseworthy life and the conversion of the entire region, he passed to the Lord in the thirteenth year of the reign of Claudius, in his second death.
Veneration and Feast
The chapter concludes by noting the veneration of his relics and the liturgical timing of his feast day.
Indeed, the relics of this most holy man, Lazarus, are venerated with special devotion in the city of Marseille. His feast is celebrated on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of January. It is celebrated most devoutly in January.
Read the original Latin
Lazarus interpretatur a Deo adjuins et signat poenitentiae vitam in die salutis, hoc est in die poenitentiae. Quando quidem poenitentibus verus sol jastitiae illuxit, auxiliatur tunc Deus et adjuvat conferendo gratiam suam, justificando in hoc mundo et vitam aeternam in alio, Sanctus Lazarus ex nobili et regali progenie cum Maria Magdalena et Martha sororibus suis sumserunt originem, Syro patre et Eucharia matre nati sunt, a beato Maximino discipulo domini baptizati sunt, Lazarus autem partem urbis Hierusalem possidens operam dabat militiae, Qui quantum fuerit dilectus domino nostro Jesu Christo, secretarius ejus beatissimus Johannes cap. XI descripsit dicens, quod erat quidam languens Lazarus, miserunt autem dictae sorores ad dominum dicentes: domine ecce, quem amas, infirmatur; Jesus autem mundi salvator respondit: infinnitas haec non est ad inortem, sed pro gloria Dei et ut glorificetur filius Dei per eam, Et post suis ait discipulis: Lazarus noster amicus dormit, sed vado, ut a somno excitem eum. Cum autem ad locum accessisset et sorores sancti Lazari cum maximis lacrymis eum adorassent, querulose dicendo haec: domine, si fuisses hic, frater meus non fuisset mortuus, ad locum accessit et beatum Lazarum jam quatriduanum mortuum suscitavit. Post ascensionem domini cum gravis esset christianorum persecutio, Judaei prodere sanctum Lazarum cum suis sororibus et christianorum magna copia cupientes in navi absque remis posuerunt, divino vero nutu et angelo regente veniunt ad Massiliam. Praedicans vero Christum salvatorem mostrum prünus episcopus Massiliensis exstitit et ipse post laudabilem vitam et totius patriae conversionem tertio decimo imperii Claudii anno secunda morte migravit ad dominum. Hujus quippe sanctissuni viri Lazari reliquiae apud urbem Massiliam praecipuo venerantur obsequio. Ejus festivitas XVI cal.
Januarii devotissime celebratur.
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