Saint Lazarus of Bethany Medal Necklace – Patron of Hope in Grief and the Dying

Saint Lazarus of Bethany, Patron of Hope in Grief and the Dying

Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, and one of Jesus's closest personal friends outside the twelve apostles. When Lazarus fell fatally ill, Jesus delayed traveling to him, arriving only after Lazarus had already died and been in the tomb four days. The Gospel of John records Jesus weeping at the tomb before calling Lazarus out by name, still wrapped in his burial cloths. According to Eastern tradition, Lazarus later fled persecution in Judea and became the first bishop of Kition on Cyprus, living another thirty years before a second, final death. Western tradition instead places him as the first bishop of Marseille.

Note: this is Lazarus of Bethany, the man Jesus raised from the dead in John 11, not the beggar Lazarus from the parable in Luke 16. The two are often confused since centuries of popular devotion blended them together, but they're separate figures with separate stories.

A Gift For...

• Anyone grieving the loss of someone close
• Someone facing a serious illness, or supporting a loved one through one
• Hospice workers and funeral directors
• Anyone who needs a reminder that a situation isn't over yet
• Someone rebuilding their life after a major setback
• A second-chance or new-beginning gift

A Confirmation Gift for Lazarus

For a confirmand who chose Lazarus as their patron, "Called by Name" or "Come Forth" (Christ's own words at the tomb) both fit the 20-character line limit and carry real weight behind them. Lazarus suits confirmation because his story isn't about something he did, it's about being personally known and called, which is close to the heart of what confirmation itself is about.

The Saint Lazarus of Bethany Medal

The design shows Lazarus emerging from the tomb, still partially wrapped in burial grave clothes, one hand raised. The natural gold or silver of the metal forms the illustration itself. Black ink is applied to the pendant surface and the metal shows through as the image. A shatterproof liquid glass coating seals the surface. The result has a depth and precision that printed medals don't achieve.

Personalization and Engraving

Reverse engraving available in Tangerine cursive, 2 lines, 20 characters max each. Well-suited pairings: a name with "Come Forth," or a diagnosis or recovery date paired with "Called by Name."

Saint Lazarus of Bethany's feast day is December 17th in the Western calendar. "Jesus wept" over his death is the shortest verse in the entire Bible, two words carrying the weight of a God who grieved before he acted.