"By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with palms of victory, We cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death; Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!"The Saturday of Lazarus is one of the most significant feast days in the Orthodox Church. It is a day of both death and life, marking the final great miracle of Christ before His resurrection. This miracle prefigures His death and the authority He has over death when he cried out "Lazarus, come forth" after his friend had been four days dead.
At the Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday the baptismal verse from Galatians: As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3:27) replaces the Thrice-holy Hymn thus indicating the celebration of life over death and the fact that Lazarus Saturday was once among the few great baptismal days in the Orthodox Church
Ιt is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on the divided island of Cyprus, and specifically in Larnaca, and there reposed in the Lord. It is further noted that after he was raised from the dead he never laughed again until the end of his life. He apparently only smiled once when he saw someone stealing a vessel of clay and this is where he apparently said, "clay stealing clay." (the metaphor of which we here at hellasfrappe do not understand... but if one of our readers does, then please let us know)
Interestingly the grave of Lazarus is situated in the city of Kition, and has the inscription: "Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ." In the year 890 AD his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time the Emperor composed the stitching on the Vespers saying "wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . ."
Since we are on the subject of history, over the centuries many traditions and folk customs surfaced celebrating this day most of which were lost throughout the ages but some of which are being practiced or being revived as we speak. They have their historical significance, because during Ottoman rule these traditions played a special role in keeping the Orthodox Church alive in the heart of millions. During those times, young girls, who were very fearful of Turkish oppressors, would often stay home most of their lives, but on days such as today they enjoyed special liberties which allowed them to "come out", or so to speak, so they could prepare for their future marriages.
In fact, farmers would stay home back then because they believed that if they worked on their crops on Holy Days such as today then their crops would wither and die the only type of chores they did on days like today was collect dry sticks for the ovens.
Since we are on the subject of baking, one very common tradition throughout Greece is the baking of Lazarakia. These "holy" breads are spicy and made out of Lenten, meaning they contain no dairy products and/or eggs. Lazarakia are shaped into a man who is wrapped in cloths. They are decorated with cloves and taste like Tsourekia but unlike the latter they are not brushed with egg or butter. One recipe can be found at the bottom of this article.
Another idiom that is most common with today says that "If you don't make a Lazaro, the you will not enjoy a day of bread" (“Λάζαρο δεν πλάσεις, ψωμί δεν θα χορτάσεις”).
TRADITIONS AROUND GREECE
KOS - On the island of Kos girls who are engaged make this holy bread or "Lazaroudia" into the size of a small child, and fill it with ground walnuts, almonds, figs, raisins, honey, extra spices and send it to the groom.
MAINLAND GREECE - In Central Greece, Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace the custom of "Lazarines" or "Lazaritses", is practised where female participants go from home to home with baskets full of flowers and small lazarakia and sing carols to their neighbors. In the olden days, this was also informally known as a "nyfo-pazaro" meaning it was an opportunity for single girls to come out, and become known as candidate brides.
TRIKALA - In Trikala there is an annual competition of Lazarines. These girls dress up, have decorated baskets with flowers, and sing songs to honor the day. The three most beautiful baskets, three most rare traditional songs and the best three total appearances (basket and singing) are awarded.
KOZANI - In Kozani, the Lazarines gather in one home and begin celebrating until late in the night. After the celebration, they visit the local priest, the mayor and then go directly to the Church of the Panagia. In Lefkopigi they also go from door to door and exchange their lazarakia for eggs. When they fill up their baskets, they gather in the square and engage in traditional dance and song.
CAROLING
Speaking of singing, the "Lazarina Carols" might not be a widespread tradition but they are still sung in many areas across Greece. On the eve of Lazarus children would traditionally head to the fields and gather flowers and then use these flowers to decorate their baskets. Later they would go from door to door and sing carols to their neighbors in exchange for money, eggs or other delicacies.
RHODES - On Rhodes and particularly on Ialyssos, children go from home to home singing "Lazaro", and collect money for their local churches. The same tradition is practiced on the island of Crete as well as in Epirus, where these visits are also accompanied by the ringing of bells.
CYPRUS - In Cyprus, children traditionally wear yellow flowers all over their heads and when other carolers begin singing to them they lie down on the ground and pretend to be dead, much like Lazarus. (This is still practiced today at Orthodox funerals in Greece where they cover the whole body in flowers). When the carolers yell "Lazarus, come forth", then our young actors rise... and the game continues at another home!
SKYROS - On the island of Skyros strangely Lazarus is depicted on a large spoon. The spoon is shaped into a wooden cross and dressed in infant clothing.
LEFKADA - In the Ioanian, and particularly in Lefkada, children go out caroling on this day and while one child holds a wooden swallow, all the others hold decorated baskets in which they gather eggs.
CORFU - On Corfu, where Easter week is greatly celebrated, a man wears a red shirt and around his waist he ties colorful ribbons. He then parades like this from home to home, holding up a cane that has a depiction of Lazarus' face carved on its head. He is accompanied by musicians who play carols that sound more like serenades. A long time ago, people were obligated to buy a decoration that adorned his cane (such as fake jewelry, etc), for if they hung it over their beds, then these gems would bring them good fortune. Unfortunately this tradition is only practiced in the Old Quarter of Corfu town, but nonetheless is a tradition that has recently been once again revived.
RECIPE FOR LAZARAKIA
Ingredients:- 12-14 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups lukewarm water
- 4 1/2 tsp. yeast
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. aniseed or anise extract
- 1 tsp. mahlepi
- 1/2 tsp. masticha
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of the 2 1/2 - 3 cups lukewarm water and add sugar and salt and stire well. Add remaining water, oil cinnamon and 6 cups flour and stir the mixture until creamy. Add enough of remaining flour to make a medium dough and then divide this dough into however many Lazarakia you wish to make. Roll each little lump of dough into a log and cut off a small lump from every single log you make and set it to the side. Lazarakia are braided much in the way we braid koulourakia but the bottom is tucked into the dough and the little extra lump is used as a head which you add at the end of your braid. Add some cloves to give your Lazarakia eyes and a mouth and they are done. Place them on slightly greased baking sheet, and cover with towel and allow them to double in volume (about an hour). About ten minutes before they are complete, preheat your oven to 350 degrees or 180 C and when they are ready bake your breads for about 20-30 minutes or until hollow when tapped on bottom.. You can also fill them with walnuts, almonds and other dried nuts, and they are especially tasty with dried fruit as well.
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