Tombs of Lazarus
The first tomb in Bethany is a place of pilgrimage today. Lazarus' tomb in Cyprus is the site of the Byzantine church, the most notable feature of ancient Kittim (now Larnaka). The discovery and transfer of his relics from Cyprus to Constantinople in 898 is remembered each year on October 17, apostrophized by Arethas, bishop of Caesarea; however, on November 2, 1972, human remains in a marble sarcophagus under the altar were discovered during renovation works in the church at Larnaka, and were identified with part of the saint's relics.
The relics from Constantinople were transferred to France in 1204 as part of the booty of the Fourth Crusade.
The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is a religious/military order, purportedly dating back to the First Crusade. The Order is run by two distinct channels of authority, referred to as the Malta Obedience and the Paris Obedience.
Today Lazarus is honored as a saint by Christians who honor saints. In Cuba a major festival is dedicated to San Lázaro (synchronized with Babalu Ayé), but on December 17. In the Eastern Orthodox Church as well as the Byzantine Catholic Church, the Saturday before Palm Sunday is remembered as "Lazarus Saturday", and the scripture readings and hymns focus on Lazarus as a promise of the resurrection of all. In Christian funerals the idea of the deceased being raised by the Lord as Lazarus was raised is expressed in prayer. In the province of Quebec in Canada, in close proximity to the city of Montreal, there is a town named after "Saint-Lazare". In Paris there is a train station named after Lazarus, "Gare Saint-Lazare" and this latter has been the subject of a painting of the same name by Claude Monet.
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