Editing Saint (section)

== Christianity ==

=== Catholic Church ===
{{anchor|Catholic Church|Catholic|Catholicism}}
{{Further|List of Catholic saints|General Roman Calendar}}
[[File:San Francesco.jpg|thumb|left|A portrait depicting [[Saint Francis of Assisi]] by the Italian artist [[Cimabue]] (1240–1302)]]

According to the [[Catholic Church]], a saint may be anyone in [[Heaven]] (besides [[God in Catholicism|God]]), whether recognized on Earth or not, who forms the "great cloud of witnesses" ([[Hebrews 12]]:1).<ref name="Francis2018"/><ref CHURCH">{{cite web|last1=Kevin Cotter|title=How Does Someone Become a Saint? A 5-Step Process|url=https://focusoncampus.org/content/how-does-someone-become-a-saint-a-5-step-process|website=focusoncampus, CHURCH|access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> These "may include our own mothers, grandmothers or other loved ones (cf. [[2 Timothy 1:5]])" who may have not always lived perfect lives, but "amid their faults and failings they kept moving forward and proved pleasing to the Lord".<ref name="Francis2018">{{cite web|url=https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html|title=Gaudete et exsultate: Apostolic Exhortation on the call to holiness in today's world|date=19 March 2018|publisher=[[Holy See]]|language=en|access-date=4 May 2018}}</ref> The title ''Saint'' denotes a person who has been formally [[canonization|canonized]]—that is, officially and authoritatively declared a saint, by the church as holder of the [[Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven]], and is therefore believed to be in Heaven by the [[Grace in Christianity|grace of God]]. There are many persons that the church believes to be in Heaven who have not been formally canonized and who are otherwise titled saints because of the fame of their holiness.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.catholic-pages.com/saints/explained.asp |title=What is a saint? Vatican Information Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013120338/http://www.catholic-pages.com/saints/explained.asp |archive-date=1999-10-13 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> Sometimes the word saint also denotes living Christians.<ref name=cat2>{{cite web|url=http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition) |publisher=Scborromeo.org |access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref>

According to the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'', "The [[Patriarchs (Bible)|patriarchs]], [[Prophets in Christianity|prophets]], and certain other Old Testament figures have been and always will be honored as saints in all the church's liturgical traditions."<ref>''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' Chapter 2, Article 1, 61</ref>

In his book ''Saint of the Day'', editor Leonard Foley says this: the "[Saints'] surrender to God's love was so generous an approach to the total surrender of [[Jesus]] that the Church recognizes them as heroes and heroines worthy to be held up for our inspiration. They remind us that the Church is holy, can never stop being holy and is called to show the holiness of God by living the life of Christ."<ref>''Saint of the Day'', edited by Leonard Foley, OFM, (Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003), xvi. {{ISBN|0-86716-535-9}}</ref>

The Catholic Church teaches that it does not "make" or "create" saints, but rather merely recognizes them. Proofs of heroic virtue required in the process of beatification will serve to illustrate in detail the general principles exposed above<ref>The [http://www.kofc.org/un/catechism/getsection.action?part=1&sec=2&chap=3&art=9&parasec=3&subsec=2&hdr=0&par=828&paratype=a ''Catechism of the Catholic Church''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812112425/http://www.kofc.org/un/catechism/getsection.action?part=1&sec=2&chap=3&art=9&parasec=3&subsec=2&hdr=0&par=828&paratype=a |date=12 August 2011 }}, from the [[Knights of Columbus]] site</ref> upon proof of their holiness or likeness to God.

On 3 January 993, [[Pope John XV]] became the first pope to proclaim a person a saint from outside the diocese of Rome: on the petition of the German ruler, he had canonized Bishop [[Ulrich of Augsburg]]. Before that time, the popular "[[Cult (religious practice)|cults]]", or venerations, of saints had been local and spontaneous and were confirmed by the local [[Catholic bishop|bishop]].<ref name="lr12">Luscombe, David and Riley-Smith, Jonathan. 2004. ''New Cambridge Medieval History: c.1024–c.1198'', Volume 5. p. 12.</ref> [[Pope John XVIII]] subsequently permitted a cult of five Polish [[martyrs]].<ref name="lr12" /> [[Pope Benedict VIII]] later declared the Armenian hermit [[Simeon of Mantua]] to be a saint, but it was not until the pontificate of [[Pope Innocent III]] that the popes reserved to themselves the exclusive authority to canonize saints, so that local bishops needed the confirmation of the Pope.<ref name="lr12" /> [[Walter of Pontoise]] was the last person in [[Western Europe]] to be canonized by an authority other than the Pope: [[Hugh de Boves]], the [[Archbishop of Rouen]], canonized him in 1153.<ref name=smith>William Smith, Samuel Cheetham, ''[https://archive.org/details/adictionarychri00cheegoog A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities]'' (Murray, 1875), 283.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.saint-mike.org/library/papal_library/AlexanderIII/biography.html |title=Alexander III |newspaper=Saint-mike.org |access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> Thenceforth a decree of [[Pope Alexander III]] in 1170 reserved the prerogative of canonization to the Pope, insofar as the [[Latin Church]] was concerned.<ref name=smith />

[[Alban Butler]] published ''Lives of the Saints'' in 1756, including a total of 1,486 saints. The latest revision of this book, edited by [[Herbert Thurston]] and [[Donald Attwater]], contains the lives of 2,565 saints.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,862347,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214112751/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,862347,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 December 2008 | magazine=Time | title=Religion: 2,565 Saints | date=6 August 1956 | access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref> Robert Sarno, an official of the [[Dicastery for the Causes of Saints]] of the [[Holy See]], expressed that it is impossible to give an exact number of saints.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/keeping-saints-alive/ | work=CBS News | title=Keeping Saints Alive | date=4 April 2010}}</ref>

The [[veneration of saints]], in [[Latin]] {{lang|la|cultus}}, or the "[[Cult (religious practice)|cult]] of the Saints", describes a particular popular devotion or entrustment of one's self to a particular saint or group of saints. Although the term ''[[Christian worship|worship]]'' is sometimes used, it is only used with the older English connotation of honoring or respecting (''[[veneration|dulia]]'') a person. According to the church, divine worship is in the strict sense reserved only to God (''[[latria]]'') and never to the saints. One is permitted to ask the saints to [[intercede]] or pray to God for persons still on Earth,<ref>[http://www.catholic.com/library/Intercession_of_the_Saints.asp The Intercession of the Saints] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619002648/http://www.catholic.com/library/Intercession_of_the_Saints.asp |date=19 June 2009 }} on Catholic.com</ref> just as one can ask someone on Earth to pray for him.

A saint may be designated as a [[patron saint]] of a particular cause, profession, church or locale, or invoked as a protector against specific illnesses or disasters, sometimes by popular custom and sometimes by official declarations of the church.<ref>[[s:Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Patron Saints|Patron Saints]] from Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) on Wikisource.org</ref> Saints are not believed to have power of their own, but only that granted by God. [[Relics]] of saints are respected, or ''venerated'', similar to the veneration of holy images and [[icons]]. The practice in past centuries of venerating relics of saints with the intention of obtaining healing from God through their intercession is taken from the [[early Church]].<ref>''Acts of the Apostles'', 19: 11–2</ref> For example, an American [[deacon]] claimed in 2000 that [[John Henry Newman]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-50032640|title=Cardinal Newman declared a saint by the Pope|date=2019-10-13|access-date=2020-01-19|language=en-GB}}</ref> (then a [[Beatification|blessed]]) interceded with God to cure him of a physical illness. The deacon, Jack Sullivan, asserted that after addressing Newman he was cured of [[spinal stenosis]] in a matter of hours. In 2009, a panel of theologians concluded that Sullivan's recovery was the result of his prayer to Newman. According to the church, to be deemed a miracle, "a medical recovery must be instantaneous, not attributable to treatment, disappear for good."<ref>Jenna Russell, "Marshfield man's prayer an answer in sainthood query", ''The Boston Globe'', 28 April 2009, B1, 4.</ref>

Once a person has been canonized, the deceased body of the saint is considered holy as a [[relic]].<ref name="newadv">{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Relics |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12734a.htm |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.newadvent.org}}</ref> The remains of saints are called holy relics and are usually used in churches. Saints' personal belongings may also be used as relics.<ref name=newadv /> Some of the saints have a special iconographic [[saint symbology|symbol]] by tradition, e.g., [[Saint Lawrence]], deacon and martyr, is identified by a [[Gridiron (cooking)|gridiron]] because he is believed to have been burned to death on one. This symbol is found, for instance, in the Canadian heraldry of the office responsible for the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]].

==== Stages of canonization ====
Formal [[canonization]] is a lengthy process, often of many years or even centuries.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/index_saints_en.html Table of the Canonizations during the Pontificate of His Holiness John Paul II] on Vatican.va</ref> There are four major steps to become a saint.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.mic.com/articles/53125/john-paul-ii-sainthood-4-steps-to-becoming-a-catholic-saint| title = John Paul II Sainthood: 4 Steps to Becoming a Catholic Saint| newspaper = Mic| date = 6 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.catholichawaii.org/media/314379/canonization_4_steps_to_becoming_a_saint.pdf| title = 4 Steps to Becoming a Saint| access-date = 27 January 2020| archive-date = 30 October 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201030024209/https://www.catholichawaii.org/media/314379/canonization_4_steps_to_becoming_a_saint.pdf| url-status = dead}}</ref> The first stage in this process is an investigation of the candidate's life by an expert. After this, the official report on the candidate is submitted to the bishop of the pertinent diocese and more study is undertaken. The information is then sent to the [[Dicastery for the Causes of Saints]] of the [[Holy See]] for evaluation at the universal level of the church.<ref name=how6191 /> If the application is approved the candidate may be granted the title ''[[The Venerable|Venerable]]'' (stage 2).<ref name=how6191>{{cite web|url=http://people.howstuffworks.com/question6191.htm|title=The Steps of Canonization|work=HowStuffWorks|date=20 April 2001}}</ref> Further investigation, step 3, may lead to the candidate's [[beatification]] with the title ''Blessed'',<ref name=how6191 /> which is elevation to the class of the ''[[beatification|Beati]]''. Next, and at a minimum, proof of two important miracles obtained from God through the intercession of the candidate are required for formal canonization as a saint. Finally, in the last stage, after all of these procedures are complete, the [[pope]] may canonize the candidate as a saint<ref name=how6191 /> for veneration by the universal church.

=== Eastern Orthodoxy ===
{{Further|Glorification|List of Eastern Orthodox saint titles|Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar}}
[[File:Святой, фреска 12 века из церкви св. Георгия в Старой Ладоге.jpg|thumb|''Saint'', 12th-century fresco in [[Staraya Ladoga]]]]
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], a saint is defined as anyone who is in [[Heaven]] besides God, whether recognised here on earth, or not. By this definition, [[Adam and Eve]], [[Moses]], the various [[Prophets in Christianity|prophets]], and [[Archangel|archangels]] are all given the title of "Saint". Sainthood does not necessarily reflect a moral model, but communion with God; there are many examples of people who lived in great [[sin]] and became saints by [[humility]] and [[repentance]]: Saints [[Mary of Egypt]], [[Moses the Ethiopian]], and [[Dismas]], the repentant thief who was crucified with [[Jesus Christ]]. Therefore, a more complete Orthodox definition of what a saint is, has to do with the way that saints, through their humility and their love of mankind, saved inside them the entire Church, and loved all people.

==== Canonization ====
Orthodox belief believes that God [[Revelation|reveals]] saints through answered [[Prayer|prayers]] and other [[Miracle|miracles]]. Saints are usually recognised by their local community, often by people who directly knew them. As their popularity grows they are often then recognised by the entire Church through the [[Holy Spirit]]. The word ''canonization'' means that a Christian has been found worthy to have his name placed in the canon (official list) of saints of the Church. The formal process of recognition involves deliberation by a [[synod]] of bishops.<ref name="bebis" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Saints of the Orthodox Church |url=https://www.goarch.org/-/the-saints-of-the-orthodox-church |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |language=en-US}}</ref> The Orthodox Church does not require the manifestation of miracles, as it does in [[Roman Catholicism]]; what is required is evidence of a virtuous life and prior [[local veneration]] of the saint.<ref name=":0" />

If the ecclesiastical review is successful, this is followed by a service of glorification in which the saint is given a day on the [[liturgical calendar]] to be celebrated by the entire Church.<ref>Frawley J ''[http://www.oca.org/FS.NA-Document.asp?ID=83 The Glorification of the Saints in the Orthodox Church]'' at Orthodox Church in America, Syosset, New York</ref> This does not, however, make the person a saint; the person already was a saint and the Church ultimately recognized it.

As a general rule, only [[clergy]] will touch [[relics]] in order to move them or carry them in procession; however, in [[veneration]] the faithful will kiss the relic to show love and respect toward the saint. The [[altar]] in an Orthodox Church usually contains relics of saints,<ref>Hopko T "[http://oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-building/altar-table The Orthodox Faith]"</ref> often of [[martyr]]s. Church interiors are covered with the [[icon]]s of saints. When an Orthodox Christian venerates icons of a saint he is venerating the image of God which he sees in the saint.

[[File:Saint Onuphrius Emmanuel Tzanes.png |thumb|200 px|right|''[[Saint Onuphrius (Tzanes)|Eremitic Saint Onuphrius]]'' by [[Emmanuel Tzanes]], 1662]]
Because the Church shows no true distinction between the living and the dead, as the saints are considered to be alive in [[heaven]], saints are referred to as if they are still alive, and are [[venerated]], not [[worshipped]]. They are believed to be able to [[Intercession of saints|intercede]] for the living for [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]] or other requests and help mankind either through direct communion with God or by personal [[miraculous]] intervention.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the title [[wikt:ὅσιος|Ὅσιος]], ''Hosios'' (f. {{Lang|el|Ὁσία}} ''Hosia'') is also used. This is a title attributed to saints who had lived a [[monastery|monastic]] or [[Hermit|eremitic]] life equivalent to the more usual title of "Saint".<ref>{{cite book |last= Cotsonis  |first= John A.  |author-link= |date= 1994 |title= Byzantine Figural Processional Crosses |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vhGH8gRUYyUC&dq=Hosios+saint&pg=PA70 |page=70|publisher= Dumbarton Oaks |isbn= 9780884022282 }}
</ref>

=== Oriental Orthodoxy ===
The [[Oriental Orthodox]] churches ‒ the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], the [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria]], the [[Orthodox Tewahedo|Tewahedo Church]], [[Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church]], and the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]] ‒ follow a canonization process unique to each church. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, for example, has the requirement that at least 50 years must pass following a prospective saint's death before the Coptic Orthodox Church's [[Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|pope]] can canonize the saint.

=== Anglicanism ===
{{Main|Saints in Anglicanism}}

In the [[Anglican Communion]] and the [[Continuing Anglicanism|Continuing Anglican]] movement, the title of Saint refers to a person who has been elevated by popular opinion as a pious and holy person. The saints are seen as models of holiness to be imitated, and as a "cloud of witnesses" that strengthen and encourage the believer during his or her spiritual journey.<ref>{{bibleverse||Hebrews|12:1|KJV}}</ref> The saints are seen as elder brothers and sisters in Christ. Official Anglican creeds recognize the existence of the saints in heaven.

In [[high-church]] contexts, such as [[Anglo-Catholicism]], a saint is generally one to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated) a high level of holiness and [[sanctity]]. In this use, a saint is therefore not merely a [[belief|believer]], but one who has been transformed by virtue. In [[Catholicism]], a saint is a special sign of God's activity. The veneration of saints is sometimes misunderstood to be worship, in which case it is derisively termed "hagiolatry".

So far as invocation of the saints is concerned,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eskimo.com/~lhowell/bcp1662/articles/articles.html#22 |title=Article XXII |publisher=Eskimo.com |access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> one of the [[Church of England]]'s [[Thirty-Nine Articles|Articles of Religion]] "Of [[Purgatory]]" condemns "the Romish Doctrine concerning ...(the) Invocation of Saints" as "a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God". Anglo-Catholics in Anglican provinces using the Articles often make a distinction between a "Romish" and a "Patristic" doctrine concerning the invocation of saints, permitting the latter in accordance with Article XXII. Indeed, the theologian [[E. J. Bicknell]] stated that the Anglican view acknowledges that the term "invocation may mean either of two things: the simple request to a saint for his prayers (intercession), 'ora pro nobis', or a request for some particular benefit. In medieval times the saints had come to be regarded as themselves the authors of blessings. Such a view was condemned but the former was affirmed."<ref name="Sokol2001">{{cite book|last=Sokol|first=David F.|title=The Anglican Prayer Life: Ceum Na Corach', the True Way|year=2001|isbn=978-0-595-19171-0|page=14|publisher=iUniverse |quote=In 1556 Article XXII in part read ... "The Romish doctrine concerning ... invocation of saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the word of God." The term "doctrina Romanensium" or Romish doctrine was substituted for the "doctrina scholasticorum" of the doctrine of the school authors in 1563 to bring the condemnation up to date subsequent to the Council of Trent. As E. J. Bicknell writes, invocation may mean either of two things: the simple request to a saint for his prayers (intercession), 'ora pro nobis', or a request for some particular benefit. In medieval times the saints had come to be regarded as themselves the authors of blessings. Such a view was condemned but the former was affirmed.}}</ref>

Some Anglicans and Anglican churches, particularly Anglo-Catholics, personally ask prayers of the saints. However, such a practice is seldom found in any official Anglican liturgy. Unusual examples of it are found in The Korean Liturgy 1938, the liturgy of the Diocese of Guiana 1959 and The Melanesian English Prayer Book.

Anglicans believe that the only effective Mediator between the believer and God the Father, in terms of redemption and salvation, is God the Son, [[Jesus]] [[Christ]]. Historical Anglicanism has drawn a distinction between the intercession of the saints and the invocation of the saints. The former was generally accepted in Anglican doctrine, while the latter was generally rejected.<ref name="Sokol2001" /> There are some, however, in Anglicanism, who do beseech the saints' intercession. Those who beseech the saints to intercede on their behalf make a distinction between ''mediator'' and ''intercessor'', and claim that asking for the prayers of the saints is no different in kind than asking for the prayers of living Christians. [[Anglo-Catholicism|Anglican Catholics]] understand sainthood in a more [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] or [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] way, often praying for intercessions from the saints and celebrating their feast days.

According to the [[Church of England]], a saint is one who is sanctified, as it translates in the Authorized King James Version (1611) [[2 Chronicles]] 6:41: <blockquote>
Now therefore arise, O {{LORD}} God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O {{LORD}} God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
</blockquote>

=== Lutheranism ===
{{Further|Calendar of saints (Lutheran)|Liturgical calendar (Lutheran)}}
[[File:AugsburgConfessionXXIOfTheWorshipoftheSaints.JPG|right|thumb|"Scripture does not teach calling on the saints or pleading for help from them. For it sets before us Christ alone as mediator, atoning sacrifice, high priest, and intercessor."—[[Augsburg Confession|A.C.]] Article XXI.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ig5PF6Tf07UC&pg=PA59&dq Augsburg Confession, Article 21, "Of the Worship of the Saints"]. trans. Kolb, R., Wengert, T., and Arand, C. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000.</ref>]]
[[File:Listopad - Kalendář koruny české na obyčejný rok 1867 - detail.jpg|left|thumb|The month of November in the Czech calendar for 1867 (detail). The calendar of saints is given not only for Catholics, but also for "Protestants".]]
In the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]], all Christians, whether in Heaven or on Earth, are regarded as saints. However, the church still recognizes and honors specific saints, including some of those recognized by the Catholic Church, but in a qualified way: according to the [[Augsburg Confession]],<ref>A Confession of Faith Presented in Augsburg by certain Princes and Cities to His Imperial Majesty Charles V in the Year 1530</ref> the term ''saint'' is used in the manner of the Catholic Church only insofar as to denote a person who received exceptional grace, was sustained by faith, and whose good works are to be an example to any Christian. Traditional Lutheran belief accounts that prayers ''to'' the saints are prohibited, as they are not mediators of redemption.<ref>[[Apology of the Augsburg Confession]] XXI 14–30</ref><ref>[[Smalcald Articles]]-II 25</ref> But, Lutherans do believe that saints pray for the Christian Church in general.<ref>[[Apology of the Augsburg Confession]] XXI 9</ref> [[Philip Melanchthon]], the author of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, approved honoring the saints by saying they are honored in three ways:
:1. By thanking God for examples of His mercy;
:2. By using the saints as examples for strengthening our faith; and
:3. By imitating their faith and other virtues.<ref>[[Apology of the Augsburg Confession]] XXI 4–7</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cyclopedia.lcms.org/display.asp?t1=s&word=SAINTS.VENERATIONOF|title=Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod – Christian Cyclopedia|work=lcms.org}}</ref><ref>[[Augsburg Confession]] XXI 1</ref>

The Lutheran Churches also have [[Calendar of Saints (Lutheran)|liturgical calendars]] in which they honor individuals as saints.

The intercession of saints was criticized in the ''[[:s:Augsburg Confession#Article XXI: Of the Worship of the Saints.|Augsburg Confession, Article XXI: Of the Worship of the Saints]]''. This criticism was rebutted by the Catholic side in the ''[[Confutatio Augustana]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bookofconcord.org/confutatio.php#article21|title=1530 Roman Confutation|website=bookofconcord.org|date=28 December 2019}}</ref> which in turn was rebutted by the Lutheran side in the ''Apology to the Augsburg Confession''.<ref>''Apology to the Augsburg Confession, [http://bookofconcord.org/defense_20_saints.php#article21 Article XXI : Of the Invocation of Saints]''</ref>

=== Methodism ===
{{Further|Saints in Methodism}}

While Methodists as a whole do not venerate saints, they do honor and admire them. Methodists believe that all Christians are ''saints'', but mainly use the term to refer to biblical figures, Christian leaders, and martyrs of the faith. Many Methodist churches are named after saints—such as the [[Twelve Apostles]], [[John Wesley]], etc.—although most are named after geographical locations associated with an early [[Methodist circuit|circuit]] or prominent location. Methodist congregations observe [[All Saints' Day]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Daily Bible Study |url=https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/the-bible/a-word-in-time/2016/30-october-5-november-2016/tuesday/ |publisher=[[Methodist Church in Britain]] |access-date=15 June 2019 |language=en |quote=[T]day we reach one of the high points of the Christian Year – All Saints Day.}}</ref> Many encourage the study of saints, that is, the biographies of holy people.

The [[Twenty-five Articles|14th Article of Religion]] in the [[United Methodist]] ''[[Book of Discipline (United Methodist)|Book of Discipline]]'' states:
<blockquote>The [[Romish]] doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshiping, and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church |date=2016 |publisher=[[Cokesbury]] |isbn=978-1-501-83321-2 |page=104}}</ref></blockquote>

=== {{anchor|Protestantism}} Other Protestantism ===
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In many [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches, the word ''saint'' is used more generally to refer to anyone who is a Christian. This is similar in usage to [[Paul the Apostle|Paul]]'s numerous references in the New Testament of the Bible.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/new-testament-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-36-beloved-of-god-called-to-be-saints "Beloved of God, Called to Be Saints"], ''New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual''. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. p. 150.</ref> In this sense, anyone who is within the [[Body of Christ]] (i.e., a professing Christian) is a saint because of their relationship with Christ Jesus. Many Protestants consider [[Intercession of saints|intercessory prayers to the saints]] to be [[idolatry]], since what they perceive to be an application of divine worship that should be given only to God himself is being given to other believers, dead or alive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philvaz.com/apologetics/p38.htm |title=The Sin of Idolatry and the Catholic Concept of Iconic Participation |publisher=Philvaz.com |access-date=25 December 2012}}</ref>

Within some Protestant traditions, ''saint'' is also used to refer to any [[born again Christianity|born-again Christian]]. Many emphasize the traditional [[New Testament]] meaning of the word, preferring to write "saint" to refer to any believer, in continuity with the doctrine of the [[priesthood of all believers]].

=== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ===
The use of "saint" within [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) is similar to the Protestant tradition. In the New Testament, saints are all those who have entered into the Christian covenant of baptism. The qualification "latter-day" refers to the doctrine that members are living in the latter days before the [[Second Coming of Christ]], and is used to distinguish the members of the church, which considers itself the restoration of the ancient Christian church.<ref>{{cite web |last= Smith |first= Joseph Jr |author-link= Joseph Smith Jr |title= Pearl of Great Price |url= http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,106-1-2-1,FF.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20000817204117/http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,106-1-2-1,FF.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2000-08-17}}</ref> Members are therefore often referred to as "[[Latter-day Saints]]" or "LDS", and among themselves as "saints".<ref>M. Russell Ballard, [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/faith-family-facts-and-fruits?lang=eng "Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits"], ''Ensign'', Nov 2007, 25–27</ref>