The Malta Independent on Sunday
The figure of St Lazarus in early Christian writings
The Castello Lanzun Lecture Series
In St John’s Gospel (11:1-44) there is a full account of the raising of Lazarus of Bethany from the dead by Jesus. We know that he was a much-loved friend of Jesus. Not surprisingly, various traditions developed about him in the early Church, especially in Cyprus and in France. Then there is the wellknown parable of the rich man and the poor Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke (16:19–31) which describes the relationship, during life and after death, between an unnamed rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus.
Today, one rarely hears about these two Lazarite figures, although their patronal feast is still celebrated annually on 17th December by the Grand Commandery of the Castello, based in Mensija, a jurisdiction of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem.
To shed more light on St Lazarus, the Grand Commandery (VO/1558) has invited Rev Dr Jonathan Farrugia, a lecturer in Patristics at the University of Malta, to deliver a talk entitled “The figure of St Lazarus in early Christian writings”. This will be delivered at Castello Lanzun, Triq is-Santwarju, Mensija, San Gwann on Thursday 26th September, starting at 7.30pm. All €20 per person donations will go towards the Grand Commandery’s charities in Malta, India and Uganda. Currently, funds are being raised to purchase an ambulance for Women in Need ( www.women-in-need.co.uk) operating among lepers, mostly women, in India.
As seating is limited, places for this event will be on a first come first served basis, so it is recommended that attendees confirm their booking, as soon as possible, and before Tuesday 24 September 2019 by contacting the Chancellor Alan Miller on alandavidmiller56@gmail.com or on 7996 5432. The talk will be followed by a reception.
This event forms part of the Castello Lanzun Lecture Series and offers an opportunity to visit this unique example of a fortified farmhouse in this part of Malta.