Editing Saint (section)

=== 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>