Are Saints only Catholic?

For many, the word "Saint" seems inseparable from Catholic tradition, with its canonized list of holy men and women recognized through formal processes. Are saints only Catholic, or does the concept extend beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Church? The answer is both nuanced and enlightening.

The Biblical Meaning of “Saint”

In the Bible, especially in the New Testament, “saint” is used to describe all believers in Christ. Paul’s epistles address the “saints” in various cities—ordinary Christians who followed Jesus and sought to live according to His teachings. For example, in Ephesians 1:1, Paul writes, “To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” Here, sainthood is not reserved for a spiritual elite but is a term that encompasses the entire Christian community, called to live holy lives by virtue of their relationship with Christ.

Saints in Catholic Tradition

Over centuries, the Catholic Church developed a formal process of recognizing individuals as saints, known as canonization. Canonized saints are those who have been officially declared by the Church to have lived lives of heroic virtue and are considered to be in heaven, interceding on behalf of the faithful. The process involves careful investigation of the candidate’s life, miracles attributed to their intercession, and widespread veneration by the faithful.

Catholic saints are often associated with specific patronages, feast days, and devotions. Their lives serve as models of faithfulness and sources of inspiration for Catholics around the world. The veneration of saints in Catholicism is a deeply rooted tradition, but it is important to note that the Church does not “make” someone a saint; rather, it recognizes what God has already accomplished in that person’s life.

Saints in Eastern Orthodoxy

The Eastern Orthodox Church also honors saints, though it approaches the recognition process differently. In Orthodoxy, sainthood is often recognized by local communities or hierarchs through a process called “glorification.” The saints of the Orthodox Church include biblical figures, martyrs, ascetics, theologians, and ordinary believers whose lives exhibited holiness and devotion to God.

Orthodox Christians venerate saints as examples of theosis—the transformative process of becoming more like God. Icons, feasts, and hymns celebrate their lives, and the communion of saints is central to Orthodox spirituality. The Orthodox understanding of sainthood emphasizes the accessibility of holiness to all believers, not just a select few.

Saints in Protestant Traditions

With the Protestant Reformation came a significant shift in the understanding of sainthood. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin rejected the practice of praying to or through saints, emphasizing instead the priesthood of all believers. In most Protestant traditions, the term “saint” continues to be used in its biblical sense: all Christians are saints by virtue of their faith in Jesus Christ.

While Protestants generally do not canonize individuals or venerate saints in the same way as Catholics or Orthodox Christians, they still honor the lives and legacies of faithful Christians throughout history. Many Protestant churches remember historical figures, missionaries, and martyrs as examples of godliness, even if they are not formally called “saints.”

Saints in Other Christian Movements

Beyond the main branches of Christianity, various movements and denominations have their own ways of recognizing and remembering holy people. Anglicanism, for example, maintains a calendar of saints and commemorates individuals who have made significant contributions to the faith. Methodists, Lutherans, and other traditions may also observe feast days or remember notable Christians, reflecting the enduring appeal of sainthood as a concept that transcends denominational lines.

The Universal Call to Holiness

One of the most significant developments in Christian thinking, especially since the Second Vatican Council, is the emphasis on the “universal call to holiness.” This idea affirms that all Christians, irrespective of tradition, are called to be saints—to pursue lives marked by love, faith, and service. While the recognition and veneration of saints take different forms across denominations, the underlying call to holiness is common ground.