“By raising Lazarus from the dead before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.” Today, by calling forth his friend Lazarus from the tomb, the Lord shows the power of his Resurrection will be not be limited by space or time. When Christ rises from the dead, he puts in action the resurrection of all the dead, from the beginning to the end of the age. All will rise, but some will rise to judgment while others rise to eternal life.
When the trumpet sound signals the close of the age and thou dost call us forth from the grave, O Savior and Judge of all, have mercy upon us, thy sinful servants, and show us to be among those saved by thy grace, redeemed by thy death, and living forever with thee!