Editing Saint (section)

=== 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>