Lazarus Saturday

On a beautiful spring Saturday, we headed to liturgy to celebrate Christ raising Lazarus from the dead. After a Lenten brunch, we all headed to the home of Bishop Basil whom we are blessed to have living right around the corner from our Cathedral. The kids had a great time! From the trolley ride that took us there, to the petting zoo and balloon man that kept the kids occupied for hours, a day was celebrated that won't be forgotten.
I most especially will never forget Ella walking up to the balloon man and after asking him to make her a poodle, poking him in the belly and looking up at him with a strange expression of bewilderment. We have no idea why to this moment...
Or the boys taking off in an attempt to crawl through the Bishop's flower garden...
But the highlight of any encounter that includes the kids with +Basil, is Ella's reaction to his approach. She will often start yelling, "Bishop Basil is here! Bishop Basil is here!!!" while jumping and screaming. He, being a kind, patient and loving man adores children and enjoys a laugh (He got a real big kick out of me asking the proper way to greet him. His answer? "Hello!") so we are safe.
I love the Paschal calendar, or church calendar for that matter. I adore the way our life now revolves around the church and it's many feasts and celebrations rich with meaning and history. So beautiful... We are so blessed by Orthodoxy. It's good to be home!


"O Lord, wishing to see the tomb of Lazarus - for You were soon to dwell by Your own choice within a tomb - You asked, "Where have you laid him?" And learning that which was already known to You, You called to him whom You loved, "Lazarus, come forth." And he who was without breath obeyed the One Who gave him breath, the Savior of our souls.
O Lord, wishing to give Your disciples an assurance of Your Resurrection from the dead, You came to the tomb of Lazarus and called to him by name. Then was hell despoiled, and it released the one that had been dead four days, as he called upon You, "O blessed Lord, glory to You!"

verses from the vespers

Epistle: Hebrews 12:28-13:8 Gospel: John 11:1-45