Greetings all,
Hope everyone is having a blessed Advent season.
I must admit that I am not even quite sure how to title this thread, as it is somewhat complex, but it does require some Eastern Orthodox input.
In the Bible, there is a parable given by Jesus, about a leper named Lazarus and an un-named man of wealth. I'm sure many of you know the story but for those of you who don't, I've linked below a brief version of it.
There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, whoo would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.'
Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.'
He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.'
But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.'
He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"
Gospel of Luke, 16:19-31, New American Bible
The Bible also makes mention of another Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, who was resurrected from the dead by Jesus. This Lazarus is commonly known as St. Lazarus of Bethany in the East and St. Lazarus, Bishop in the West.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the former Lazarus (from the parable) is seen as a fictional character who is not a saint, while the latter Lazarus is venerated as one.
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Linked Image]
The image above is that of Lazarus, of the parable. He is venerated primarily among Cuban's and Cuban-Americans. He is presented wrapped in bandages, as was the custom to do with corpses of the Jews, this being the explanation for the interpretation that is associated with the image of the San Lazaro that is adored by the Cubans.
Now here comes my question...
Is the Lazarus from the parable a saint in the Orthodox church? Do they see these two Lazarus' as the same person?
I ask this because there is a canonical Orthodox church in my area (whose name I choose to withhold) that sells images of the Lazarus from the parable, as St. Lazarus and in fact another parish, a former canonical Orthodox church which is now an independent Orthodox congregation is dedicated to St. Lazarus of the parable.
Just wondering...
ProCatholico
PS: Personally, I have a devotion to the official St. Lazarus, Bishop but in the image presented above.
