Saint
The Latin word sanctus means holy or consecrated. It entered English through Old French as seint and Middle English as saint. This term historically referred to individuals regarded as holy. The word hallow is synonymous with saint. Hallow derives from the Old English root hālig, which shares the same origin as holy. It refers to holy individuals. Certain names and traditions preserve this older form. Allhallowtide includes All Hallows' Eve and All Hallows' Day on November 1. The Greek equivalent of sanctus is hagios. This Greek word appears 235 times in the Greek New Testament. The King James Version translates it 191 times as holy or Holy. It translates 61 times as saints. Originally a technical term in ancient Roman religion, the globalized use in Christianity changed its meaning. Modern usage now translates comparable terms for persons worthy of veneration across many religions.
On the 3rd of January 993 Pope John XV became the first pope to proclaim a person a saint outside Rome. He canonized Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg following a German ruler's petition. Before that time local cults were spontaneous and confirmed by local bishops. Pope Benedict VIII later declared Simeon of Mantua a saint. Pope Innocent III reserved exclusive authority to canonize saints to the papacy. Walter of Pontoise was the last person in Western Europe canonized by an authority other than the Pope. Hugh de Boves Archbishop of Rouen canonized him in 1153. A decree of Pope Alexander III in 1170 reserved the prerogative of canonization to the Pope. Alban Butler published Lives of the Saints in 1756 with 1,486 saints. The latest revision edited by Herbert Thurston and Donald Attwater contains 2,565 saints. Robert Sarno stated it is impossible to give an exact number of saints. The process involves four major steps starting with investigation by an expert. If approved the candidate may be granted the title Venerable. Further investigation leads to beatification with the title Blessed. Proof of two important miracles through intercession is required for final canonization.
Hinduism has no formal canonization process but many reach sainthood during their lifetime. Hindu saints are variously called gurus sadhus rishis or yogis. Some receive god-like status as incarnations of Vishnu Shiva or Devi. Buddhist Theravada and Mahayana traditions hold Arhats and Bodhisattvas in special esteem. Tibetan Buddhists regard tulkus as living saints on earth. Islam recognizes saints known as wali who possess blessings and can perform miracles. Muslim saints rank lower than prophets but can intercede for people on Judgment Day. Rabia of Basra was accepted as a saint despite being a woman. Judaism developed the term Tzadik meaning righteous from its Talmudic contrast with Hasid. Sikhism uses Sant or Bhagat for beings that attained enlightenment through God realization. Figures like Kabir Ravidas and Namdev are known as Sants. The Druze faith venerates Saint George and Saint Elijah due to Christian influence. These figures represent bravery in confronting dragons or pagan priests. Cuban Santería and Haitian Vodou adopted Catholic saints applying their own spirits to them.
Relics of saints are respected and venerated similar to holy images. An American deacon named Jack Sullivan claimed John Henry Newman cured him of spinal stenosis in 2000. A panel of theologians concluded his recovery resulted from prayer to Newman in 2009. Medical recoveries must be instantaneous not attributable to treatment to be deemed miracles. Saints' personal belongings may also serve as relics used in churches. In Eastern Orthodox Churches only clergy touch relics to move them. The faithful kiss relics to show love and respect toward the saint. Church altars usually contain relics often of martyrs. Icons of saints cover church interiors showing the image of God seen in the saint. Some saints have special iconographic symbols by tradition. Saint Lawrence is identified by a gridiron because he was burned to death on one. This symbol appears in Canadian heraldry for the St. Lawrence Seaway office. Veneration involves asking saints to intercede or pray to God for persons still on Earth.
Salafism opposed traditional practices of saint veneration in the twentieth century. Various streams regard it as un-Islamic and backwards rather than integral to Islam. Salafi movements tried to curtail visiting graves seeking intercession and honoring relics. Christopher Taylor noted some modern Muslims resist acknowledging Muslim saints altogether. Despite this many living saints exist with millions of followers mainly in Sufi orders. Well-known modern-day saints include Sheikh Nazim al Haqqani and Sheikh Hisham Kabbani. Famous Islamic saints in history include Rumi Ibn Arabi and Al Ghazzali. The vast majority of classical Sunni saints were Sufis belonging to orthodox legal schools. Medieval critics like Ibn Taymiyyah declared miracles of saints absolutely true and correct. Belief in miracles became a requirement in Sunni Islam during the classical period. Colonial powers used similarities between Moroccan Jewish and Muslim practices to claim unity yet insufficient resistance against imperialism. The Church of England's Articles of Religion condemned invocation of saints as vainly invented.
Common questions
What does the Latin word sanctus mean and how did it enter English?
The Latin word sanctus means holy or consecrated. It entered English through Old French as seint and Middle English as saint.
When did Pope John XV become the first pope to proclaim a person a saint outside Rome?
On the 3rd of January 993 Pope John XV became the first pope to proclaim a person a saint outside Rome. He canonized Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg following a German ruler's petition.
How many saints are listed in the latest revision of Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints edited by Herbert Thurston and Donald Attwater?
The latest revision edited by Herbert Thurston and Donald Attwater contains 2,565 saints. Robert Sarno stated it is impossible to give an exact number of saints.
Who was the last person in Western Europe canonized by an authority other than the Pope and when did this occur?
Walter of Pontoise was the last person in Western Europe canonized by an authority other than the Pope. Hugh de Boves Archbishop of Rouen canonized him in 1153.
What symbols identify Saint Lawrence and where does this symbol appear in Canadian heraldry?
Saint Lawrence is identified by a gridiron because he was burned to death on one. This symbol appears in Canadian heraldry for the St. Lawrence Seaway office.