12.04.2025
8:30 am
info@smiocbristol.org
St. Marys Indian Orthodox Church
1B Bank Rd, Pilning, Bristol BS35 4JG
On this Saturday, we remember how our Lord Jesus Christ raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. He knew Lazarus was grievously ill, but He waited till he died before He answered Martha and Mary's call for Him. Only after four days did He bring Lazarus back to life, so that His disciples would see that He had power over life and death and was truly "the Resurrection and the Life." It was this miracle that prepared the way for Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem and gave us the certain assurance of the physical resurrection of all the dead. Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-42; John 12:23). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. He asked, "Where have ye laid him?" and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted His eyes and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice,
"Lazarus, come forth."And he that had been dead for four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there,
"Loose him, and let him go."
This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we remember on this day. In some parts of Kerala, we call this day as ‘Kozhukkatta Perunnal’ also.
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that marks the beginning of Holy Week, the holiest of weeks, in which the most important moments of Christ's life take place, which includes the suffering and torture.
We remember the last supper Jesus Christ shared with his disciples and while doing so we are in the upper room with Jesus and the Apostles.