#the raising of Lazarus

Patristic literature from the 4th–5th centuries offers a wide-ranging interpretation of the resurrection of Lazarus as a symbol of post-baptismal penance, illustrated by the testimonies of Pope Damasus, Saints Gregory of Nazianzus, Ambrose and Jerome, who identify spiritually with Lazarus, and continued by the ecclesiastical exegesis of Chromatius of Aquileia and Peter Chrysologus, who link the miracle at Bethany to repentance, forgiveness and the joy of the general resurrection.

The five homilies of Saint Antim of Ivire, delivered on Palm Sunday, constitute the most substantial homiletic collection in his Didachies, offering a vivid picture of sacramental practice in Wallachia at the beginning of the 18th century. Analysed in turn, these sermons reveal the theology of repentance, Baptism and frequent communion, a scathing critique of the boyars’ hypocritical penance, and an urgent call to confession during the three days of Holy Week.