Union with St. Lazarus – the Most Beloved

The most mystical of the Gospels that found their way into the Bible is the Gospel of John. Curiously enough, clergy and scholars of orthodox Christianity, who are ignorant of the deeper esoteric content of the Gospel, propose it was a Gospel written against the “heresy” of Gnostics. However, according to the masters of Gnostic Christianity, it is a Gnostic Gospel, and in the Sophian Tradition a vast body of oral teachings has developed based upon this Gospel. In the introduction to these wisdom teachings the authorship of the Gospel is challenged, for it is said not to have been written by St. John but by St. Lazarus. There are several reasons for this teaching. First, the pivotal event of the Gospel is the resurrection of St. Lazarus, of whom it is said, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (Gospel of John 11:3). From the event of Lazarus’ resurrection Lord Yeshua concludes his public ministry to focus primarily upon teaching his disciples, and the nature of these teachings is clearly inner and secret. At the conclusion of the Gospel it is said that the disciple “whom Yeshua loved” is the disciple who wrote this Gospel, and there is a strange allusion to this same disciple as one who is to remain in the world as a witness until the time of the Second Coming. The masters of the Tradition point out that this could only be St. Lazarus, for only he shared directly in the experience of death and resurrection that would make this possible.

This argument, in and of itself, proves most convincing, and some modern scholars have begun to propose it also, but it becomes even more clear when one understands the code of symbolism embedded in the Gospel and the secret wisdom it conveys to Gnostic Initiates. The Holy Book is actually a manual of metaphysical teachings and meditation, the specific intention of which is the awakening of the Serpent Power, which in Christian mysteries is called the Power of the Holy Spirit and in the East is called “Kundalini.” Whoever wrote this Holy Book received the inmost secret teachings and initiations from Master Yeshua and directly experienced the Resurrection Power. Among the disciples of the Master it could only be Lazarus – the most beloved disciple who experienced death and resurrection, just as the Lord experienced it. This has earned Lazarus the title, Secret or Hidden Christ-bearer, and in Christian Kabbalah he is associated with Da’at (Knowledge) on the Tree of Life. Essentially, he represents a hidden or unmanifest dimension of the Christos that will not become fully embodied until the Age of the Holy Spirit or Second Coming.

For obvious reasons many myths and legends have evolved in the oral tradition of Sophian Gnosticism about this mysterious disciple whom the Lord loved. Apart from St. Mary Magdalene it is said that he was the only disciple to receive all teachings and initiations of the Holy Gospel, outer, inner and secret. Likewise it is suggested that he was the “twin brother” of Magdalene, sharing in the Holy Neshamah of Our Lord and Our Lady. When we contemplate the ascension of Lord Yeshua to repose in the Father, the vow of Lady Mary to perpetually incarnate in a woman’s form until the time of the Second Coming, and the legend of St. Lazarus remaining alive on earth until the Second Coming, we see three distinct realms of operation of the Christ Presence.

It is said that St. Lazarus lives in remote places and wanders the earth in secret, immortal and indestructible. According to legend, he receives one or two disciples in every generation to whom he transmits the inmost secret teachings, serving as a guardian and knowledge-keeper of the Light-Transmission on earth. Only those whom the Holy Spirit calls and guides are able to find him, and it is said many who have tried with the wrong motives have died in their attempts over the Ages. Though many might think of him as an old man, legend speaks of him as a young and very handsome man, and he is often called the Eternal Youth or the Hermit-Lad.

As strange and fanciful as all the stories and legends of St. Lazarus may sound, nevertheless deep spiritual and esoteric truths are contained in them, which are verified in our own experience. In the Sophian Tradition all myth and legend relates to spiritual and metaphysical truths, and to spiritual practice and the spiritual life through which these truths are realized. Essentially, they are allegorical in nature and become historical as we ourselves embody the Spirit of Truth of which they speak. In the case of St. Lazarus, it is the truth of the Life-Power which is infinite and eternal, and our capacity to realize Eternal Life.

Some have said that the character of Christian Rozenkrutz in the Rosicrucian teachings is based upon legends of St. Lazarus, and that true Rosicrucian teachings themselves represent the School of St. Lazarus, founded by one of his secret disciples.

Teachings of Sophian Gnosticism on St. Lazarus and his legends are not typically given in a public forum, as they include inner and secret practices, and the special initiations that correspond to them. However, there are several essential Partzuf Meditations openly provided for aspirants who might be inclined to contact this Divine Personification of the Light-Presence or who feel a strong connection with St. Lazarus as their Heart Tzaddik. The following is one of the most basic meditations with St. Lazarus.

Union with the Secret Apostle

Seated in Primordial Meditation, abide in the Living Presence of the moment, aware of the Sacred Unity in which all things exist. Perform the Kabbalistic Cross and pray for purification and consecration by the Spirit of Yahweh, that you might be blessed to receive Gnosis and Communion with the Secret Apostle, St. Lazarus.

Envision St. Lazarus magically appearing before you, as though stepping out of the Light-Continuum.

Image of St. Lazarus: He appears in robes of ivory white – the outer robe is hooded and rainbows flow out of his body. He is youthful and has a beautiful boyish face, appearing as though he were sixteen, though having pure white hair. His eyes are unearthly in appearance, as though the universe is in them and his gaze seems otherworldly. There is a clear diamond-like light surrounding him, this image being formed of translucent light.

Let your mind and heart open completely to the Secret Tzaddik, and any other Tzaddikim who might appear with him. Do not speak, but abide in silence, listening and hearing the Wisdom Teachings emerging within your own heart and mind.

See St. Lazarus smile upon you and envision rays of light streaming forth from his Brow and Heart Center and Body of Glory, blessing you and fulfilling every wish of your Holy Soul.

Take up the sacred chant of St. Lazarus: Azaza-Al-Lazarus (Alternatively, you can chant the Divine Name IAO, or the Six permutations of IAO.)

As you chant envision yourself becoming more and more radiant and glorious, and as you near the end of the chant envision your body dissolving into fluid flowing light, so that as you cease the chant you pour into the Image of the Secret Apostle, merging with him completely. Abide in this union as long as you can.

When your mind and heart moves, take up the chant: Hayyah Yeshua (Living Yeshua)

Let your mind, heart and life merge with the Holy Chant.

At the conclusion of the chant imagine yourself spontaneously appearing once again.

Give praise and thanks to the Holy One of Being, and pray that the Light of the Cross is extended unto all beings, then seal the practice with the Kabbalistic Cross. Walk in the world as a Light-bearer; this is enough.

May all who ask, receive;
May all who seek, find;
May all who knock, enter!
This is our prayer. Amen.