Ikon - Håndmalt russisk ikon av Saint Lazarus av Debeldyalsky - Tre

Hand Painted Russian Icon of Saint Lazarus of Debeldyalsky.

According to Archimandrite Nestor of the Veliko Tarnovo Metropolis, Lazar left his birthplace and went to Anatolia (Asia Minor) as a small boy. There in Soma, Turkey he became a shepherd. He is a devout Christian and soon incurs the wrath of the Turks. On the order of a Turkish nobleman, he was thrown into a dungeon. After long tortures, which Lazarus obediently endured, filled with love for Christ, he was killed.

According to what was written by nun Valentina Drumeva, Lazar had a sad childhood. He was left an orphan and his stepmother bullied him. So he decided to leave his home and went south. He was hardworking and thrifty, and when he was 28 he already had 40 sheep.

One day he fell asleep while grazing them. A Turkish woman passed by, his dog attacked her and tore her clothes. At home, she slandered Lazar that he attacked her. They offered him that if he turned himself in, they would not press charges and would give him 1,000 groshis, and if he refused, they would kill him. He categorically refused. Then they put him on trial and subjected him to cruel tortures, but he did not give up his faith. Lazarus himself personally wished to be executed in the name of Christ.

They sentenced him to be hanged. Many Christians gathered to pray for him, even the Turks were embarrassed by the courage and will he displayed. Lazar himself climbed the gallows. He prayed fervently to St. George, because that day was St. George's Day.

Christians buried his body with honor. After a while, a fragrance began to waft from his grave. Then his relics were transferred to the altar of the village church. Numerous miracles have taken place over his holy relics.

His image is painted in full length in the "Holy Archangels" chapel in the Rila Monastery. His birthplace, Debel Tyal, is also marked there.