Saint

A saint is a person recognized for having an exceptional degree of holiness. They are often seen as being very close to God or a divine presence.

The term comes from the Latin word *sanctus*, which means holy or consecrated. Another word for saint is hallow, which comes from the Old English *hālig*. This root is still seen in traditions like All Hallows' Day on November 1. While the word has Christian origins, historians use it more broadly. They use it to describe holy figures in many different religions. These include the Hindu rishi, the Sikh guru, or the Buddhist bodhisattva.

Different religious traditions have unique ways of identifying these figures. In the Catholic Church, the process is called canonization. This is an official and authoritative declaration. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the process is known as glorification. Some groups, such as the Plymouth Brethren, use the term more broadly. For them, a saint is any holy Christian without special selection. Other traditions recognize saints through popular acclamation, often called folk saints.

Many thinkers have looked for common traits among these holy people. Author John A. Coleman suggested they share certain "family resemblances." These include being exemplary models or extraordinary teachers. They may also be seen as wonderworkers or sources of benevolent power. Some saints might have a special, revelatory relation to the holy. They often live lives that refuse material attachments or comforts. Anthropologist Lawrence Babb described them as focal points of spiritual force-fields. He noted that they exert a powerful influence on their followers.

In the early Christian era, the meaning of the word was different. In the New Testament, the Greek word *hagioi* was often used in the plural. It usually referred to the entire community of believers in a specific place. For example, the Apostle Paul often addressed entire churches as "the saints." This was a collective designation for people set apart for God. It did not necessarily mean an elite subgroup of people. Later traditions moved toward recognizing specific, individual exemplary figures. This shift created the distinct practices seen in modern denominations.

The Catholic Church teaches that it does not create saints. Instead, it recognizes those who have already lived holy lives. A saint might be someone of universal importance to the whole church. Others may only be significant to a specific nation or family.

The history of official recognition changed significantly over time. In 993, Pope John XV canonized Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg. This was the first time a pope named a saint from outside Rome. Later, in 1170, Pope Alexander III reserved the right to canonize saints to the Pope alone. This centralized the authority within the Latin Church.

There are many ways people interact with the idea of sainthood. One common practice is intercession. This is when people ask a saint to pray to God on their behalf. The Church teaches that saints do not have power of their own. Instead, they use the power granted to them by God. Some saints are also designated as patron saints. A patron saint might protect a specific profession, place, or cause.

People may also venerate relics, which are objects connected to a saint. This practice has roots in the early Church and is used to seek healing.

Sainthood remains a complex and widely varied concept across the globe. The number of recognized saints is very large and hard to count. For example, the book *Lives of the Saints* has listed thousands of individuals. One revision of the book included 2,565 different saints. Because of these many traditions, the study of saints connects to many fields. It touches on history, sociology, and the study of many different belief systems. Whether through official decrees or popular devotion, these figures continue to inspire many people.