ACC ~ John 11 v1

LAZARUS SIGNIFIES “HELPED

” ISIDORE OF SEVILLE Lazarus means “helped,” [1] referring to him who was [helped] when raised from the dead. ETYMOLOGIES 7.10.5. [2]

[1] “Lazarus” is a shortened form of “Eleazar,” meaning “God has helped.” Origen Fragments on the Gospel of John 77 explores the possibility that the Lazarus mentioned in Luke 16 is the same as here but ultimately dismisses the idea.

[2] Cetedoc 1186, 7.10.5.

THE MAKER RAISES HIS CREATION

AUGUSTINE Among all the miracles done by our Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of Lazarus holds a prime place in preaching. But if we consider attentively who did it, our duty is to rejoice rather than to wonder. A man was raised up by him who made humankind. He is the only one of the Father by whom, as you know, all things were made. And if all things were made by him, why is anyone amazed that one was raised by him when so many are daily brought into the world by his power? It is a greater deed to create men and women than to raise them again from the dead. Yet he decided both to create and to raise again; to create all, to resuscitate some. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 49.1. [1]

THE TEARS OF MARY AND MARTHA

ROMANUS MELODUS

Let us all, with love, hurry to Bethany to see Christ there, weeping for His friend.

For wishing all things to be ordained by law, He controls all things in His dual nature.

He suffers as son of David; as Son of God,

He redeems the whole world from all the evil of the serpent,

And on the fourth day, He raised up Lazarus, taking pity on

The tears of Mary and Martha.

Together sustained by faith, the two announced to Christ and God the death

Of their brother, saying, “Hasten, come, Thou who art always present in all places,

For Lazarus whom Thou dost love is ill: if Thou come near,

Death will vanish, and Thy friend will be saved from corruption,

And the Jews will see that Thou, the Merciful One, hast taken pity on

The tears of Mary and Martha.”

KONTAKION ON THE RAISING OF LAZARUS 15.2-3. [2]

[1] NPNF 1 7:270**; CCL 36:419.

[2] KRBM 1:151-52. More of the sermon follows below.