The Court of Lazarus

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LAZARUS
A Tale Written In Blood

The Court of Lazarus is a Vampiric Court based in Lower Manhattan, serving our Citizens, Guests and night creatures from neighboring Courts in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. As New York’s Original ‘Salon Noir’, it is part ritual gathering, part dark performance space and part gothic cocktail party.

Lazarus was founded in February 2002 as a social gathering organized by Father Sebastian Todd of Sanguinarium infamy. It was called 'The Society Lazarus' for that initial meeting, but the members soon voted to organize officially as a Vampiric Court. Lazarus became known as The Court of Lazarus from the March 2002 gathering onward. Father Todd recruited a host for that initial gathering, but he left after only one meeting - before Lazarus even became a Court. After members voted to become a Court, an interim Regent was named. Gabrielle of The House of St. Eve graciously led The Court until elections were held in April of 2002 and when the Court's first elected leader was chosen.

In May 2002, Gabrielle ceded the Regency in a Regent's Rite held near Central Park's Belvedere Castle, as representatives from neighboring Courts looked on. At that time, The Lazarus Council consisted only of our first elected Regent, Madame X (Keeper of the Scroll), Marquessa Magdalena (Keeper of the Veil), Father Sebastian Todd (Primus), Gabrielle (Regent Emeritus) and Lazarus' Scribe, Nefarious Wrath.

That summer was a whirlwind of activity, as The Council instituted the first Scroll of Lazarus as its governing document, established relationships with neighboring Courts, and worked to attract attendees and prospective Citizens. It was also a challenging and stressful time, and The Lazarus Council sometimes differed on the goals for The Court. These differences could not be reconciled and in June of 2002, Father Todd and Council parted ways. Madame X remained Keeper of the Scroll until November 2002, when she left Court and the tristate area for Savannah, GA. She was succeeded as Keeper of the Scroll by Lazarus' Scribe, Nefarious Wrath, in December 2002.

In June 2003, Marquessa Magdalena was appointed to Interim Regent until elections were held and she was rightfully crowned in July 2003. As her Keeper of the Blood, Magdalena appointed Mistress Naamah. Two new Houses were inducted into the Court of Lazarus and with them, two new House Magisters to represent their interests on Council. One of the oldest and most respected international Houses, Clan LiDeIm joined Lazarus with Lord Valerus as their representative. Order D’Vampiro, a relatively new Order but with long standing devotees to the community joined with Michael Aristede as their chosen representative. Also during her reign (in a period of 3 months when she was in Europe), she appointed Nefarious Wrath interim Regent. He led the Court until Magdalena was able to return to the states and regain her position. During her \"Bloody Reign of Terror\", many changes occurred in the Lazarus Citizenry and she resigned from the Regency in April 2005, to be immediately succeeded by Nefarious Wrath. In December 2005, after another heated debate about elections, he was officially elected. Nefarious kept Mistress Naamah as the Keeper of the Blood and asked Lord Valerus to fill the position of Keeper of the Scroll. Ronin Magister, Lady Thera resigned from her position in September 2006 due to a career promotion and DeSade was added to Council as the Court of Lazarus’ newest Ronin Magister after a tight election in October 2006. During Lord Nefarious’ regency, ending in September 2007, Court was in a state of rebirth. Many Citizens were gained and the Court of Lazarus celebrated a closer sense of unity. Also during this time, Court found a true spiritual advisor… Hierophant Enrico Fales. As a devout thelemic, he continues to teach and lead the Court in all ritual matters.

In August 2007, Nefarious relinquished the regency and Mistress Naamah was unanimously elected as Regent. At this time, the Lazarus Council consists of Regent Mistress Naamah, Keeper of the Blood Lord Valerus, Keeper of the Scroll Michael Aristede, House Magister for Clan LiDeIm Mark Demon and Ronin Magister Lady Daenyres.

The Court of Lazarus has been fortunate enough to host such talents as gothic artist/animator/director/musician Voltaire, goth rock band Bella Morte, The Dresden Dolls, writer/occultist Kostantinos, renowned bat expert Joseph D'Angeli, Projekt recording artists Unto Ashes, gothic harp diva Somna M. Bulist, theramin artist Armen Ra, photographer Joy Goldkind, Android Lust and dark magician Lord Vlad. Though many things have changed, none of this would have mattered without the help of those who were willing to take a chance and extend a hand of friendship to Lazarus. Their names are too numerous to list, but include: Lord Regent D'Drennan, Lady Lucretia de Noite, Sir John, Countess Monette, Lady Mehnea, Sonny, Lord Regent Kage VonDraconus, Lord Scorpio, Lady Aurora and Lord Vahmp, Lord Maelstrom, Lady Alala, Lady Pandora, and Lord Kodius.