Journey to Pascha Series - Lesson #23: Selected Hymnography of Lazarus Saturday

Introduction: Hymnography as the Original Catechism of the Church

In the Orthodox Christian tradition, liturgical hymnography is not merely poetic ornamentation—it is the original catechism of the Church. Long before formal catechisms were compiled or theological treatises systematized, the faith of the Church was sung, especially in the form of troparia, kontakia, stichera, and canons. These hymns were composed by saints, monastics, and theologians whose goal was not entertainment, but illumination, to lead the faithful into right belief (orthodoxy) and right worship (orthopraxy).

The services of Lazarus Saturday, which usher in the climactic days of Holy Week, are a stunning example of this. In just a few lines, the Church sings the doctrine of the Resurrection, the divinity and humanity of Christ, the reversal of death, and the anticipation of Pascha. They teach that the raising of Lazarus is not just a miracle—it is a type of the universal resurrection, a sign that Christ is Lord even over the tomb, and that His death will not be a defeat, but the beginning of victory.

This ancient method of theological transmission is strikingly similar to the classical world’s own approach to truth. Among the Greeks, philosophers often introduced wisdom by saying, “As the poet said…”—recognizing that poetry preserved what prose could only explain. In the same way, the Church turns not first to textbooks but to her hymnography, where truth is sung and doctrine becomes doxology.

To enter into these hymns with understanding is to hear the voice of the Church teaching her children, to encounter Christ not through abstraction, but through image, story, prophecy, and praise. The troparion and kontakion of Lazarus Saturday, along with the stichera of Vespers and Matins, serve as a living catechism, leading us directly into the heart of the mystery we are about to behold: Christ, the Vanquisher of Death, calling His friend—and all of humanity—from the tomb.  The hymns don't  need much of an explanation, because they are the explanation.  

I. Wednesday Before Lazarus Saturday

Tone 5     (from the Triodion, by Joseph)  (Rejoice, O Life-giving Cross)

 

When Jesus was walking in the flesh beyond the River Jordan,

He said to His companions:

“My friend Lazarus is already dead and buried,

but I rejoice for your sake, My friends.

By his death you will learn that I know all, for I am God,

even though I appear by nature as a man.

Let us go and give life to him,

so that death may truly know My victory

and the total destruction I shall make of it,//

as I grant to the world My great mercy!”

 

Let us imitate Mary and Martha, O faithful!

Let us offer divine deeds to the Lord as intercessors,

so that when He comes He may raise up our minds,

for now they lie dead and feel no fear of God.

They are deprived of all vital energy,

unaware of their own inaction.

Let us cry: “O Lord, Who had compassion on Your friend Lazarus,

raising him up by Your dread presence and authority,

so now give life to us all,//

and grant to us Your great mercy!”

  

Tone 6     (from the Triodion, by Theodore)

 

Now Lazarus has been in the tomb for two days,

seeing the dead of all the ages,

beholding strange sights of terror:

countless multitudes bound by the chains of hell.

His sisters weep bitterly as they gaze at his tomb,

but Christ is coming to bring His friend to life,

to implement in this one man His plan for all.//

Blessed are You, O Savior! Have mercy on us!

II. Selected Hymnography of Vespers of Lazarus Saturday

Tone 6[1]    (from the Lenten Triodion, by Emperor Leo)

 

Wishing to see the tomb of Lazarus, O Lord,

since of Your own will, You were soon to dwell in a tomb,

You asked: “Where have You laid him?”

Learning that which was already known to You,

You cried to Your beloved friend: “Lazarus, come forth!”

and he who had no breath obeyed the Lord Who gave him breath,//

for You are the Savior of our souls.

 

You have come to the place of the burial of Lazarus, O Lord,

the tomb of a man four days dead.

Weeping for Your friend, O Bread of Life, You raised him up.

Therefore death was bound by Your voice,

and grave clothes were loosened by Your hand. 

The band of disciples was filled with joy.

One song of adoration was sung by all://

“Blessed are You, O Savior! Have mercy on us!”

 

Your voice destroyed the kingdom of hell, O Lord.

Your powerful word raised from the tomb the one who was four days dead.

Lazarus became the saving first-fruits of the world's regeneration.

All things are possible for You, O Lord and King of all.//

Grant Your servants cleansing and great mercy!

 

You came to the tomb of Lazarus, O Lord,

and called him by name,

wishing to assure Your disciples of Your own Resurrection.

Hell was vanquished!

It released Lazarus who was four days dead.

He cried out to You://

“Glory to You, O blessed Lord!”

 

You came to Bethany to wake Lazarus, O Lord,

accompanied by Your disciples.

You wept for him,

but he was raised by Your almighty power.

A man four days dead cried to You, O our Savior://

“Glory to You, O blessed Lord!”

  

Tone 8     (from the Lenten Triodion, by Andrew the Blind)

 

We have completed the forty days that profit our souls.

Let us sing: “Rejoice, city of Bethany, home of Lazarus!

Rejoice, Mary and Martha, his sisters!

Tomorrow Christ will come and raise your dead brother to life.

Bitter and unsatisfied, hell will hear His voice.

Shaking and groaning, it will release bound Lazarus.

The assembly of Hebrews will be amazed.

They will greet Him with palms and branches.

Though their priests and elders look on Him with envy and malice,

the children shall praise Him in song:

‘Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord,//

the King of Israel!’”

Aposticha

Tone 8     Idiomelon (from the Lenten Triodion)

 

We have completed the forty days that profit our souls.

Now let us beg the Lover of man:

enable us to see the Holy Week of Your Passion,

that we may glorify Your mighty work,

Your wonderful plan for our salvation,

as we sing with one heart and voice://

“O Lord, glory to You!”

 

Tone 8     

 

Standing by the tomb of Lazarus, O Savior,

You called to Your friend, who was dead.

He heard Your voice, and awoke as from sleep.

Mortality was shaken by immortality.

By Your word the bound was unbound.

All is possible! All things serve and submit to You, O Loving Lord.//

O our Savior, glory to You!

Tone 1     Troparion

 

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your Passion,

You confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God.

Like the children with the palms of victory,

we cry out to You, O Vanquisher of Death:

“Hosanna in the highest!//

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.”

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

 

Tone 2     Kontakion

 

Christ, the Joy, the Truth, and the Light of all,

the Life of the world, and the Resurrection,

has appeared in His goodness to those on earth.

He has become the Image of our Resurrection,//

granting divine forgiveness to all.