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Definition:
Lazarus Saturday is a part of the Easter celebrations of the Eastern Orthodox Church and commemorates the time when Jesus is believed to have raised Lazarus from the dead, signaling Jesus' powers over life and death. It is the only time during that the resurrection service of Sunday is celebrated on a different day of the week.
The focus of the services is not so much Jesus' act of raising Lazarus from the dead but rather Jesus' role as Christ, redeemer of humanity and messiah. Lazarus is thus used as a sort of symbol for humanity - imprisoned and enslaved by death and sin, waiting to be freed from our tomb by the healing, saving power of Jesus. Just as Jesus stood outside Lazarus' tomb and called to him to come out and join him, Jesus stands before humanity and calls upon people to leave behind their sins and join him.
In Greece, there are a number of cultural traditions associated with Lazarus Saturday. Children might go from door to door singing a "Lazaros" and collect money and eggs for priests. Women might bake Lazarakia, coiled bread that symbolizes the wrappings of Lazarus. Some families bake special Easter cookies known as Koulouriakia on this day or on other days during Holy Week.
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