Christianity Saint

1 christianity

1.1 catholic church

1.1.1 stages of canonization


1.2 anglicanism
1.3 eastern orthodoxy
1.4 oriental orthodoxy
1.5 other protestantism

1.5.1 lutheranism
1.5.2 methodism


1.6 latter-day saints

christianity

catholic church


a portrait depicting saint francis of assisi italian artist cimabue (1240–1302)

according catholic church, saint in heaven, whether recognized on earth or not. title saint denotes person has been formally canonized, is, officially , authoritatively declared saint, church holder of keys of kingdom of heaven, , therefore believed in heaven grace of god. there many persons church believes in heaven have not been formally canonized , otherwise titled saints because of fame of holiness. word saint denotes living christians.

in book saint of day, editor leonard foley, ofm says this: [saints ] surrender god s love generous approach total surrender of jesus church recognizes them heroes , heroines worthy held our inspiration. remind church holy, can never stop being holy , called show holiness of god living life of christ.

the catholic church teaches not make or create saints, rather recognizes them. proofs of heroicity required in process of beatification serve illustrate in detail general principles exposed above upon proof of holiness or likeness god.

on 3 january 993, pope john xv became first pope proclaim person saint : on petition of german ruler, canonized bishop ulrich of augsburg. before time, popular cults , or venerations, of saints had been local , spontaneous. pope john xviii subsequently permitted cult of 5 polish martyrs. pope benedict viii later declared armenian hermit symeon saint, not until pontificate of pope innocent iii popes reserved exclusive authority canonize saints. walter of pontoise last person in western europe canonized authority other pope: hugh de boves, archbishop of rouen, canonized him in 1153. thenceforth decree of pope alexander iii in 1170 reserved prerogative of canonization pope, in far latin church concerned.

one source claims there on 10,000 named saints , beatified people history, roman martyrology , orthodox sources, no definitive head count .

alban butler published lives of saints in 1756, including total of 1,486 saints. latest revision of book, edited jesuit herbert thurston , british author donald attwater, contains lives of 2,565 saints. monsignor robert sarno, official of congregation causes of saints of holy see, expressed impossible give exact number of saints.

the veneration of saints, in latin cultus, or cult of saints , describes particular popular devotion or entrustment of 1 s self particular saint or group of saints. although term worship used, used older english connotation of honoring or respecting (dulia) person. according church, divine worship in strict sense reserved god (latria) , never saints. 1 permitted ask saints intercede or pray god persons still on earth, 1 can ask on earth pray him.

a saint may designated patron saint of particular cause, profession, or locale, or invoked protector against specific illnesses or disasters, popular custom , official declarations of church. saints not believed have power of own, granted god. relics of saints respected, or venerated , similar veneration of holy images , icons. practice in past centuries of venerating relics of saints intention of obtaining healing god through intercession taken church. example, american deacon claimed in 2000 bl. john henry cardinal newman interceded god cure him of physical illness. deacon, jack sullivan, asserted after addressing newman cured of spinal stenosis in matter of hours. in 2009, panel of theologians concluded sullivan s recovery result of prayer newman. according church, deemed miracle, medical recovery must instantaneous, not attributable treatment, disappear good.

once person has been canonized, deceased body of saint considered holy relic. remains of saints called holy relics , used in churches. saints personal belongings may used relics. of saints have special symbol tradition, e.g., saint lawrence, deacon , martyr, identified gridiron because believed have been burned death on one. symbol found, instance, in canadian heraldry of office responsible st. lawrence seaway.

stages of canonization

formal canonization lengthy process, of many years or centuries. first stage in process investigation of candidate s life expert. after this, official report on candidate submitted bishop of pertinent diocese , more study undertaken. information sent congregation causes of saints of holy see evaluation @ universal level of church. if application approved candidate may granted title venerable . further investigation may lead candidate s beatification title blessed , elevation class of beati. next, , @ minimum, proof of 2 important miracles obtained god through intercession of candidate required formal canonization saint. these miracles must posthumous. finally, after of these procedures complete, pope may canonize candidate saint veneration universal church.

anglicanism

in anglican communion , continuing anglican movement, title of saint refers person has been elevated popular opinion pious , holy person. saints seen models of holiness imitated, , cloud of witnesses strengthen , encourage believer during or spiritual journey (hebrews 12:1). saints seen elder brothers , sisters in christ. official anglican creeds recognise existence of saints in heaven.

in high-church contexts, such anglo-catholicism, saint 1 whom has been attributed (and has demonstrated) high level of holiness , sanctity. in use, saint therefore not merely believer, 1 has been transformed virtue. in catholicism, saint special sign of god s activity. veneration of saints misunderstood worship, in case derisively termed hagiolatry .

so far invocation of saints concerned, 1 of church of england s articles of religion of purgatory condemns romish doctrine concerning...(the) invocation of saints fond thing vainly invented, , grounded upon no warranty of scripture, rather repugnant word of god . anglo-catholics in anglican provinces using articles make distinction between romish , patristic doctrine concerning invocation of saints, permitting latter in accordance article xxii. indeed, theologian e.j. bicknell, stated anglican view acknowledges term invocation may mean either of 2 things: simple request saint prayers (intercession), ora pro nobis, or request particular benefit. in medieval times saints had come regarded authors of blessings. such view condemned former affirmed.

some anglicans , anglican churches, particularly anglo-catholics, ask prayers of saints. however, such practice seldom found in official anglican liturgy. unusual examples of found in korean liturgy 1938, liturgy of diocese of guiana 1959 , melanesian english prayer book.

anglicans believe effective mediator between believer , god father, in terms of redemption , salvation, god son, jesus christ. historical anglicanism has drawn distinction between intercession of saints , invocation of saints. former accepted in anglican doctrine, while latter rejected. there some, however, in anglicanism, beseech saints intercession. beseech saints intercede on behalf make distinction between mediator , intercessor , , claim asking prayers of saints no different in kind asking prayers of living christians. anglican catholics understand sainthood in more catholic or orthodox way, praying intercessions saints , celebrating feast days.

according church of england, saint 1 sanctified, translates in authorised king james version (1611) 2 chronicles 6:41

now therefore arise, o lord god, thy resting place, thou, , ark of thy strength: let thy priests, o lord god, clothed salvation, , let thy saints rejoice in goodness.

eastern orthodoxy

in eastern orthodox church saint defined in heaven, whether recognized here on earth, or not. definition, adam , eve, moses, various prophets, except angels , archangels given title of saint . sainthood in orthodox church not reflect moral model, communion god: there countless examples of people lived in great sin , became saints humility , repentance, such mary of egypt, moses ethiopian, , of course dysmas, repentant thief crucified. therefore, more complete definition of saint is, has way saints, through humility , love of humankind, saved inside them entire church, , loved people.

orthodox belief considers god reveals saints through answered prayers , other miracles. saints recognized local community, people directly knew them. popularity grows recognized entire church. formal process of recognition involves deliberation synod of bishops. if successful, followed service of glorification in saint given day on church calendar celebrated entire church. not, however, make person saint; person saint , church recognized it.

it believed 1 of ways holiness (sanctity) of person revealed, through condition of relics (remains). in orthodox countries (such greece, not in russia) graves reused after 3 5 years because of limited space. bones washed , placed in ossuary, person s name written on skull. when body exhumed miraculous reported having occurred; exhumed bones claimed have given off fragrance, flowers, or body reported having remained free of decay, despite not having been embalmed (traditionally orthodox not embalm dead) , having been buried years in earth.

the reason relics considered sacred because, orthodox, separation of body , soul unnatural. body , soul both comprise person, , in end, body , soul reunited; therefore, body of saint shares in holiness of soul of saint. general rule clergy touch relics in order move them or carry them in procession, however, in veneration faithful kiss relic show love , respect toward saint. altar in orthodox church contains relics of saints, of martyrs. church interiors covered icons of saints.

because church shows no true distinction between living , dead (the saints considered alive in heaven), saints referred if still alive. saints venerated not worshipped. believed able intercede salvation , mankind either through direct communion god, or personal intervention.

in eastern orthodox church, title Ὅσιος, hosios (f. Ὁσία hosia) used. title attributed saints had lived monastic or eremitic life, , equal more usual title of saint .

oriental orthodoxy

the oriental orthodox churches ‒ armenian apostolic church, coptic orthodox church of alexandria, tewahedo church, malankara orthodox syrian church, , syriac orthodox church ‒ follow canonization process unique each church. coptic orthodox church of alexandria, example, has requirement @ least 50 years must pass following prospective saint s death before coptic orthodox church s pope can canonize saint.

other protestantism

in many protestant churches, word saint used more refer christian. similar in usage paul s numerous references in new testament of bible. in sense, within body of christ (i.e., professing christian) saint because of relationship christ jesus. many protestants consider intercessory prayers saints idolatry application of divine worship should given god himself being given other believers, dead or alive. many protestant sects consider practice similar necromancy dead believed awaiting resurrection, unable living saint.

within protestant traditions, saint used refer born-again christian. many emphasize traditional new testament meaning of word, preferring write saint refer believer, in continuity doctrine of priesthood of believers.

lutheranism

in lutheran church, christians, whether in heaven or on earth, regarded saints. however, church still recognizes , honors specific saints, including of recognized catholic church, in qualified way: according augsburg confession, term saint used in manner of catholic church insofar denote person received exceptional grace, sustained faith, , works example christian. traditional lutheran belief accounts prayers saints prohibited, not mediators of redemption. but, lutherans believe saints pray christian church in general. philip melanchthon, author of apology of augsburg confession, approved honoring saints saying honored in 3 ways:

1. thanking god examples of mercy;
2. using saints examples strengthening our faith; and
3. imitating faith , other virtues.

the lutheran churches have liturgical calendars in honor individuals saints.

methodism

while methodists whole not practice patronage or veneration of saints, honor , admire them. methodists believe christians saints, use term refer biblical people, christian leaders, , martyrs of faith. many methodist churches named after saints, such twelve apostles, john wesley, etc. although, named after geographical locations associated circuit or prominent location. methodist congregations observe saints day if follow liturgical calendar. many encourage study of saints, is, biography of holy people.

the 14th article of religion in united methodist discipline states,

the romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshiping, , adoration, of images of relics, , invocation of saints, fond thing, vainly invented, , grounded upon no warrant of scripture, repugnant word of god.

john wesley, theological father of world methodism, did not practice or permit catholic practices associated veneration of virgin mary or prayers saints.

latter-day saints

the beliefs within church of jesus christ of latter-day saints (lds church) regard saints similar not quite same protestant tradition. in new testament, saints have entered christian covenant of baptism. qualification latter-day refers doctrine members living in latter days , before second coming of christ, , used distinguish members of lds church, considers restoration of ancient christian church. members therefore referred latter-day saints or lds , , among saints .