Raising of Lazarus

The theme of this narrative sequence is the miracle of the Raising of Lazarus of Bethany, which is taken from the Gospel of John the Evangelist (John 11).

The principle scene is divided between two sides of the capital. Unmistakably recognizable with his staff and crossed nimbus, Christ is also accompanied by the inscription DIX EI IHC as well as the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. He stands on the west side of the capital and touches the cover of the tomb slab of the deceased Lazarus on the south side.
Lazarus raises himself up from the sarcophagus, on whose front is inscribed: LAZARE VENI FORAS DE SEPULCRO. In the background stand his sisters Martha and Mary Magdalene, the latter represented with long flowing hair, with which she had dried Christ’s feet during the banquet in their home.
The inscription on this side is only partially preserved: ET / MARIA / IASSO / DUS.
The corner of the capital as well as both of the other sides are decorated with apostles: Simon is depicted on the east side – SCS SYMON and (…) DEI SARVC / (…) ARINVS, and Andrew is on the north side – S. ANDREAS.

tomb VENI SYMON staff slab sister Simon SEPULCRO SARVC SCS sarcophagus S. Raising Omega nimbus miracle Mary-Magdalene Martha MARIA Lazarus John LAZARE inscription IHC IASSO hair FORAS Evangelist ET EI DIX DVS DEI Christ DE Bethany Gospel ARINVS banquet apostle Andrew ANDREAS Alpha