Many Who Saw this Event Believed in Him

In the video Christ Affirms He is Lord of Life and Death, Fr. Alexandros Pretorian of St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church explains the profound significance of the resurrection of Lazarus, which is celebrated on the Saturday before Holy Week. April 4, 2026The Divine Delay: Fr. Alexandros discusses why Jesus intentionally waited four days before arriving at Lazarus's tomb. By this time, physical decay had begun, leaving no room for rumors—common at the time—that the person was merely sleeping or that "magic" was involved. Victory Over Death: The miracle serves as the ultimate proof that Christ is the Lord of Life and Death. It was intended to solidify the faith of the Apostles and the community before they witnessed Christ’s own upcoming Passion and crucifixion. The Humanity of Christ: The sermon reflects on Jesus being "troubled" and moved to sorrow. Fr. Alexandros explains this wasn't just due to the death of His friend, but also because of the unbelief of those around Him, even after they had witnessed many other signs . Preparation for Holy Week: The "Saturday of Lazarus" acts as a gateway to Holy Week. It provides the faithful with the strength and hope needed to walk beside Christ through His suffering, knowing that the Resurrection is the final truth.