Lazarus Saturday (Vrbica)
4 April 2026 · movable holiday — A little bell rings, the willow blooms – happy Lazarus Saturday!
Lazarus Saturday is observed in the Orthodox Church on the Saturday eight days before Easter, the day before Palm Sunday. It recalls the Gospel story of Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus raised four days after his death. In Serbia the day is also called Vrbica and is especially dear to children. By custom they weave wreaths of willow twigs, wear them on their heads and hang small bells around their necks. They go to church and join the procession, and the willow branches are blessed. In Bulgaria the same day brings lazaruvane: girls known as lazarki go from house to house with songs and good wishes. The date depends on Easter, which is reckoned by church tables (the paschalion): the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon falling on or after 21 March in the Julian calendar. This full moon is calculated from tables and does not always match the real one in the sky. That is why the feast moves every year. In 2026 it falls on 4 April.
Flying across the sky: An ethereal, bluish-silver figure of a small child drawn from bright dots and fine lines like a constellation, wearing a wreath of willow twigs and a tiny glowing bell at the neck
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