12 April 2025 (MIA)

Macedonian Orthodox Church Calendar

Lazarus Saturday

According to Christian tradition, on the eve of Lazarus Saturday, when our Savior Lord Jesus Christ raised Lazarus, who had been dead for four days and laid in the tomb, there was a custom for housewives to make so-called Lazarus bread or Lazarus dolls, in his memory. Lazarus breads are sweet cakes, whose composition reminds us of the koliva made and offered in memory of the deceased. Their shape symbolizes Lazarus, deceased and wrapped in burial cloths. On Saturday morning, women would bring the Lazarus breads to the church, and after the Holy Liturgy ended, they distributed them to those present, especially to the children, with great love and piety. On the same day of Lazarus Saturday, children, organized by their teachers and parents, would go to parks and nearby forests to collect willow branches and flowers, which they brought to the church, singing Christian carols for Lazarus, Christ’s friend, and the festive troparion “General Resurrection.” The willow branches were scattered throughout the church and given to the faithful by the priest in memory of Palm Sunday, or Christ’s glorious entry into Jerusalem, humbly seated on a donkey, while the colorful flowers richly decorated the icons and doors of the church. Some Christians also adorned their homes with them for a blessing from God for a fruitful year. This custom was maintained in many Macedonian towns and villages until the Second World War. On the feasts of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, many people attended the Holy Liturgy and partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ – the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, preparing themselves for the great and holy Week of Passion and for the most glorious Resurrection of Christ. During the days of Passion Week, no festivities, celebrations, feasts, or rejoicings were practiced, but honor was given to Christ’s sufferings and the overall sacrifice our Lord and Savior made for our salvation.

Catholic Calendar

Joseph Moscati

Born on July 25 in 1880 at Benevento as Joseph Mario Charles Alphonse Moscati as the seventh of nine children born to a prominent family. A learned and accomplished physician in Naples, who directed several hospitals and medical societies, then served as a doctor in the front lines of World War I. Healed, taught and supported the poor and outcast, and could sometimes diagnose a patient’s illness and prescribe for it without having seen the patient. Knew when and how to use a patient’s faith and the sacraments to effect a cure. Polyglot. Professor of medicine at Naples University, noted for his medical research. First modern doctor to be canonized. Since his death he has intervened for the healing of several who sought his aid.