INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT LAZARUS, A GREAT CHRISTIAN

LAZARUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD!  We know the story how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after 4 days in the tomb.  He was the friend of Jesus Christ.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Lazarus went on a mission trip of his own.  He took the message of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire.  He ultimately went to the island of Cyprus, where he became a bishop of the Church.  It is said he remained there some 30 years, giving the town a firm foundation in Christianity.  When he died at the age of 58, he was buried in a modest chapel with the inscription on the casket:  “The Fourth Day - Friend of Jesus Christ.”

Cyprus was not the final resting place for the body of Lazarus.  Some 800 years later, the tomb of Lazarus was in ruins.  The Emperor Leo of Constantinople replaced the crumbling chapel with a magnificent cathedral and monastery.  But the Emperor wanted such an important Christian/Bishop to be in a place where more believers could visit.  So, the body of Lazarus was moved to Constantinople, placed in a bronze casket, and enshrined in a cathedral erected in the honor of Lazarus.  Soon after, Emperor Leo arranged for the relics of Mary Magdalene to be brought to Constantinople.

Pastor Ramona Chadwick