Lazarus Saturday in the Bethany Community of the Resurrection of Christ

The Holy Land— Festive services were celebrated in the Community of the Resurrection of Christ in the town of Bethany (al-Azariya) on the occasion of its patronal feast — the Resurrection of Lazarus.

The services took place under the open sky, next to the chapel built on the site where Martha met the Savior and heard His great and comforting words: “I am the Resurrection and the Life!”

Before the service began, Hieromonk Feodor (Kiritsa), a cleric of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, performed the rite of the Lesser Blessing of Water. After the reading of the Hours, the Head of the Mission, Archimandrite Roman (Krasovsky), presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by clergy of the Mission and visiting clergy-pilgrims. During the service, rain began to fall, but the faithful stood through it bravely under umbrellas.

The abbess of the monastery, Mother Elisabeth (Schmelz), arrived well before the service with the sisters of the Gethsemane Convent of St. Mary Magdalene.

Following the Liturgy, a moleben was served with a procession in honor of the saints — the Righteous Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. After the dismissal, Archimandrite Roman congratulated Mother Elisabeth and the sisters on their patronal feast and gave special recognition to the senior sister of the community, Nun Maria (Wall), who was also celebrating her name day.

After venerating the Cross and being sprinkled with holy water, the sisters and the faithful proceeded to the school hall for a festive meal.

More photos are available at the website of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

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