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Saints
- Thread starter Silver
- Start date
JacobEzra.
Dr. Greenthumb
Saints do exist and are documented. You can look up Saint Padre Pio
Silver
Just maybe
I suppose it comes down to faith/belief again.
Bob Dylan sang "You've either got belief or unbelief, there ain't no middle ground".
Perhaps I should have asked "Is there any evidence for saints?"
There are meant to be some 10,000 to 20,000 saints and in the Roman Catholic Church 2 miracles are required before canonization of a saint.
And what is the purpose of a saint?
Are they there just to pray to or do they actually answer prayers?
JacobEzra.
Dr. Greenthumb
Saints are holy men and women who intercede on our behalf.
But there are evidence, the miracles have to be reported and approved by Vatican. Such as the healing miracles at Lourdes, or the women who was healed after praying to the Blessed Pope John Paul II
But there are evidence, the miracles have to be reported and approved by Vatican. Such as the healing miracles at Lourdes, or the women who was healed after praying to the Blessed Pope John Paul II
Wombat
Active Member
Yes.
This man was broadly hailed as a saint.
Lore of the Land - Indigenous Cultures
Wisdom Man by Camilla Chance
Yes.
I knew the man well and he did indeed "have special powers".
Whenever he met someone, old friend or new, he made them feel like the most interesting, special, loved and unconditionally accepted being arround.
And when he laughed....ahhh when he laughed...the mountains trembled.
special powers :yes:
Gjallarhorn
N'yog-Sothep
So, popularity rules canonization?Yes.
This man was broadly hailed as a saint.
Lore of the Land - Indigenous Cultures
Wisdom Man by Camilla Chance
Yes.
I knew the man well and he did indeed "have special powers".
Whenever he met someone, old friend or new, he made them feel like the most interesting, special, loved and unconditionally accepted being arround.
And when he laughed....ahhh when he laughed...the mountains trembled.
special powers :yes:
Wombat
Active Member
Depends.
Think about the nature of "popularity".
The vast majority of people who attain "popularity" do so through efforts/ achievements in a particular area- music, sport, film, writing, politics and the media plays a large role therein.
Henry 'Banjo' Clarke had no discernable 'area' or 'field' of achievement and his "popularity" was grass roots- personal encounter-word of mouth.
His "canonization" did not come from any religious authority invested in promoting the image/reputation of a church/religion....but rather from broad consensus among those who met/knew him.
I'm in my mid fifties, I've met a lot of people...Banjo Clarke was unique.
I have never met a man as poor in material posessions and yet as rich in number and depth of human relationships.
A face alone will tell you a lot-
Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
When Anglicans Talk of Saints They mean worthy people, rather than specially ordained people.
We do no longer have a Saint making process. Though we do add people to our list of special people, who have days we celebrate. Martin Luther King is one such.
We do no longer have a Saint making process. Though we do add people to our list of special people, who have days we celebrate. Martin Luther King is one such.
Biblestudent_007
Active Member
No one has yet told me the criteria of what constitutes a Saint.
JacobEzra.
Dr. Greenthumb
two unexplained miracles. Such as the curing of a nun who had Parkinson after praying for the Blessed Pope John Paul II to intercede for her. As soon as another miracle happens that can not be explained happens, we will then be referring to him not as Blessed, but as Saint =]
Gjallarhorn
N'yog-Sothep
Hence the reason the church disallows angel and saint worship.
JacobEzra.
Dr. Greenthumb
To give the Saints adoration is a mortal sin and heretical. And if one was to teach that, then I am sure he would be excommunicated. Veneration and Imitation is one thing, Adoration is another
But encourages praying to them for direct action, or at least the Catholic church does. I didn't say the saints were a replacement but a substitute fulfilling the same function. I don't know who the god of travellers was amongst the early Israelites but St Chistopher would appear to fill that niche today.
However, if you pray to a saint it will be answered. What difference then between a saint and a god or demigod?
JacobEzra.
Dr. Greenthumb
You pray for intercession. For the Saint to pray for you. Kind of like how people ask each other to pray for them in church. They are also there for imitation, to imitate our lives after theirs since they lived piously.
Also check out Revelation 5;8 and 8;4 showing of intercession by Saints for us.
Here is a bit on the Churchs teaching of the Intercession of Saints
Which also shows how the early fathers of the church believed in the intercession of saints.
JacobEzra.
Dr. Greenthumb
Some say protestants have alot of nerve to belief they know better then some of the first Christians, such as the early church fathers.
JacobEzra.
Dr. Greenthumb
Everything in the Church is centered around God the Father,God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Was when the Church was created by Jesus, and has been throughout all time till now. Such will never change.
Protestants choose to ignore the Traditions the Early Christians practiced and passed down.
Did Protestants even keep Divine liturgy?
At this point, I would also like to add that I give credit to the Eastern Orthodox. Protestants though should start reading up on history.