Lazarus was beloved of Jesus, also were his two sisters, Martha and Mary, who were frequent hosts of Jesus, and who served Him much (Luke 10:38-40; John 12:2-3).

They were of the town of Bethany in Judea, in the shadow of the Mount of Olives on the eastern side, at a distance of two Roman miles from Jerusalem.

A few days before the Passion of Christ, Lazarus took sick. And while Jesus was still in Galilee, Lazarus's sister told Jesus of his sickness. Jesus remained purposely in Galilee two days until Lazarus died. Then He said to His disciples, let us go to Judea, that I may awaken our beloved Lazarus who has fallen asleep, meaning thereby the deep sleep of death. And when He reach Bethany, four days after the burial of Lazarus, he comforted his sister, and having groaned in spirit at the death of his beloved friend, he asked where they had put him. He wept, and, having come to the tomb, he commanded that the stone be removed.

Then He lifted up His eyes and thanked God, the Father, and cried with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth. And the dead came out wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus said to those standing by, Loose him and let him go. (John 11)

It is related in ancient accounts that he was 30 years old when Jesus raised him and lived another 30 years and died in Cyprus in 63AD. It is said that near the City of Citium lies a tomb on which there is the following legend, Lazarus of the four days, beloved of Christ.

O Thou, who by the raising of Lazarus from the dead, didst confirm the universal resurrection at the Last Trump.

SYNAXIS OF THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY OF OUR LORD INTO JERUSALEM.

Jesus came to Bethany on a Sunday falling on the 18th. March, before the Pasch of six days. On the following day he sent two of His disciples, who bought Him an Ass on which He sat to enter the city. And when the great multitude heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they immediately took palm branches in their hands and went out to meet Him. Some even spread their clothes in the road which He was about to cross, and some cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

And those who went before Him and those who followed, even the children, were all crying, Hosanna, blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, King of Israel! (John 12:13). Therefore, we celebrate this festal and brilliant day the Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem.

The branches of palm trees were a symbol of Christ's victory over Satan and Death. And the meaning of Hosanna is, We pray thee save, or Therefore, save. And the Ass' Colt, which was still an untamed animal and impure according to the law, And Christ's sitting thereon, symbolize the former savagery and impurity of the Gentiles, and their subsequent taming and obedience to the Holy Law of the Gospel.

Wherefore, through thine indescribable mercy, O Christ, grant us to overcome our beastly passions, and make us worthy to behold thy brilliant triumph over death, and thine illustrious and life-giving Resurrection; and have mercy upon us. AMEN.

To Thee be all glory and praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages.

AMEN!