Faces of saints: canonization in Orthodoxy, reasons

Who are the saints?

Perhaps it will be a revelation for someone that every saint is an ordinary person of flesh and blood who once lived on Earth. Ordinary in the sense that he ate and drank, slept, breathed, felt everything that is inherent in each of us. But a saint differs from an ordinary person in that this person was able with his life to know and realize the Lord’s Plan for eternal salvation.

The veneration of saints has been established in Christianity since ancient times.

One can imagine that a holy person is such a unique being who does not sin, who knows neither temptations, nor passions, nor desires. This is absolutely not true; many ascetics experienced terrible spiritual trials. They were tormented by gluttony, and fornication, and anger, and vanity. The difference is not in what these people felt and what they encountered in life, but in how everyone reacted to it and how they overcame it.

For example, in the 4th century there lived a young man named Ephraim. He came from a poor but pious religious family. But the young man was proud, arrogant, reacted sharply and irritably to everything that he did not like. He was lukewarm towards faith - he did not deny, but very often doubted the Providence of God.

And then one day it happened that the young man was late home and was forced to spend the night in the field with the shepherds. At night, some of the sheep were dragged away by wolves, and Ephraim was accused of bringing thieves to the herd. The young man was put in prison, where he saw other prisoners, supposedly also innocent.

The young man began to be indignant at the injustice that befell all the prisoners, and the Lord opened his eyes. Ephraim suddenly remembered how in anger he drove one cow out of the pen, and she soon died. His neighbors also began to remember how they had previously perjured themselves in court, told lies, and committed many other bad things.

And Ephraim suddenly realized that nothing happens in life for nothing. There are no innocent people, for the number of human sins exceeds the number of drops in the sea. Since then, the young man has completely changed. He began to lead a deep spiritual life, especially struggling with his anger and irritation. And his efforts were not in vain - Ephraim was honored to stand next to the Lord in the ranks of saints. The Orthodox Church remembers the memory of this ascetic on January 28.

Icon of St. Ephraim

This example shows us that a holy person can initially be endowed with a variety of sins and passions. But by repenting of them, correcting his life, trying with all his might to be with God, a person is able to overcome any sins.

Important! We can say that what distinguishes a holy person from any other is precisely the determination to get rid of vices at all costs and draw closer to God.

Another very striking example is St. Mary of Egypt. She was a very beautiful girl who knew nothing about God, led a dissolute lifestyle, and was a harlot. One day, without wanting to, she found herself near the doors of the temple. People entered it to pray, and Mary decided to do the same. But she didn’t succeed - an unknown force held the girl tightly, not allowing her to even cross the threshold of the temple.

Of course, she was scared and perplexed, even angry. And at that moment a revolution took place in her soul - she suddenly saw clearly who she was and what kind of life she was leading. She became so disgusted with herself that she fled to the desert beyond the Jordan River, where she fasted and prayed in complete solitude for 40 years.

Icon of the Venerable Mary of Egypt

During all this time, she saw a person only twice - it was a monk who buried her after death. Decades of repentance allowed the former harlot to so cleanse her soul of sin that when she prayed, she floated in the air. And today Mary of Egypt is one of the most famous and revered holy women in the Orthodox Church.

Read about Saint Mary:

Icon of Mary of Egypt
Akathist to St. Mary of Egypt
Prayers to the Venerable Mary of Egypt

What do these examples, of which there are countless more, tell us? That a person is free to choose his own path - whether he is with God or not. Indulge in your own sins and passions, which exist in absolutely every person, or fight against them. Lead your soul to destruction, or to eternal salvation. These questions are completely within the power of each person.

Links

[rus-icons.narod.ru/part17/part172/saint.html Classification of saints]

Faces of holiness in Orthodoxy

What do the faces of saints mean?

In this section we will provide some general information in order to understand that Orthodox saints are different. This does not mean that some saints are “stronger” and others “weaker,” as our people often like to think. The distribution of ascetics according to their faces is connected with their earthly life and the labor they endured for the glory of God. It is clear that the saint and the holy fool most likely lived their lives completely differently, but nevertheless, they were both awarded the crown of holiness.

There is quite a large list of faces of holiness; here are those that are found especially often in our church:

The faithful are government officials, princes, who during their reign did a lot of useful things to strengthen faith among the people. For example, the holy noble prince Vladimir, who baptized Rus'.
Great Martyrs - these are saints who endured particularly terrible torment for professing Christianity and believing in the Lord. These include the Holy Great Martyr Catherine, the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica.

Icon of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica
A confessor is a saint who did not betray the faith and preached it openly during times of special persecution of Christians. They differ from martyrs and great martyrs in that they remained alive after torture. For example, Saint Maximus the Confessor.
Martyrs are saints who were executed for professing the Christian faith. Perhaps this is the largest part of Orthodox saints. These include, for example, the martyr Bonifatius and the martyr Eugene of Sebaste.
The righteous are ordinary Christian believers, as well as married priests who have become famous for their righteous lives. For example, the holy righteous John of Kronstadt.
Reverend martyrs are monks who lost their lives for their faith. Such were the venerable martyrs Theodore and Vasily of Pechersk.
Reverends are monastics who have become famous for their pious and righteous lives. For example, St. Seraphim of Sarov.
Equal to the Apostles - these are saints who, in their earthly life, preached the Word of God a lot and spread Christianity in those regions where it was previously unknown. For example, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina - enlightener of Georgia.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga
Read also: The Bible on hypocrisy, or a brief summary of the discussion of the same name
Saints are representatives of the supreme church authority (bishops), who became famous for their righteous Christian life. These include St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and St. Luke of Crimea.
Hieromartyrs are priests who suffered martyrdom for their service. For example, Hieromartyr Seraphim Chichagov.
Miracle workers are ascetics who became famous for their miracles performed in response to prayers. For example, Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Fools or blessed ones - saints who in ordinary life took on the appearance of crazy people, looked like crazy people. At the same time, they often prophesied the future, as if they exposed the vices of other people. Such was Blessed Ksenia of Petersburg, Blessed Vasily.

Icon of Xenia of Petersburg

As a rule, every believing family has one or more especially revered saints. They can be canonized in any guises. Prayers to them bestow special grace and joy on the soul of a believer.

Notes

This “naming is sometimes used in relation to a saint or non-canonized ascetic of piety (regardless of his holiness or type of feat) as an adjective with the meaning “who has acquired the gospel beatitudes,” “living according to the commandments of the gospel beatitudes”” - op. stat. Blessed One // Orthodox Encyclopedia.
[www.pravenc.ru/text/149361.html Blessed // Orthodox Encyclopedia.]
In liturgical texts the name passion-bearer
in relation specifically to martyrs for the faith.

Excerpt characterizing the Face of Holiness

- Yes, how to get married! - Pierre said in response to Marya Dmitrievna’s words. - He couldn’t get married: he’s married. “It’s not getting any easier hour by hour,” said Marya Dmitrievna. - Good boy! That's a bastard! And she waits, she waits for the second day. At least he will stop waiting, I must tell her. Having learned from Pierre the details of Anatole's marriage, pouring out her anger on him with abusive words, Marya Dmitrievna told him what she had called him for. Marya Dmitrievna was afraid that the count or Bolkonsky, who could arrive at any moment, having learned the matter that she intended to hide from them, would challenge Kuragin to a duel, and therefore asked him to order his brother-in-law on her behalf to leave Moscow and not dare show himself to her on the eyes. Pierre promised her to fulfill her wish, only now realizing the danger that threatened the old count, Nikolai, and Prince Andrei. Having briefly and precisely stated her requirements to him, she released him into the living room. - Look, the count doesn’t know anything. “You act like you don’t know anything,” she told him. - And I’ll go tell her that there’s nothing to wait for! “Yes, stay for dinner if you want,” Marya Dmitrievna shouted to Pierre. Pierre met the old count. He was confused and upset. That morning Natasha told him that she had refused Bolkonsky. “Trouble, trouble, mon cher,” he said to Pierre, “trouble with these motherless girls; I'm so anxious that I came. I'll be honest with you. We heard that she refused the groom without asking anyone anything. Let’s face it, I was never very happy about this marriage. Let's say he is a good person, but well, against his father's will there would be no happiness, and Natasha will not be left without suitors. Yes, after all, this has been going on for a long time, and how can it be without a father, without a mother, such a step! And now she’s sick, and God knows what! It’s bad, Count, it’s bad with daughters without a mother... - Pierre saw that the Count was very upset, he tried to shift the conversation to another subject, but the Count again returned to his grief. Sonya entered the living room with a worried face. – Natasha is not entirely healthy; she is in her room and would like to see you. Marya Dmitrievna is with her and asks you too. “But you are very friendly with Bolkonsky, he probably wants to convey something,” said the count. - Oh, my God, my God! How good everything was! - And taking hold of the sparse temples of his gray hair, the count left the room. Marya Dmitrievna announced to Natasha that Anatol was married. Natasha did not want to believe her and demanded confirmation of this from Pierre himself. Sonya told Pierre this as she escorted him through the corridor to Natasha’s room. Natasha, pale, stern, sat next to Marya Dmitrievna and from the very door met Pierre with a feverishly shining, questioning gaze. She did not smile, did not nod her head to him, she just looked stubbornly at him, and her gaze asked him only about whether he was a friend or an enemy like everyone else in relation to Anatole. Pierre himself obviously did not exist for her. “He knows everything,” said Marya Dmitrievna, pointing at Pierre and turning to Natasha. “Let him tell you whether I was telling the truth.” Natasha, like a shot, hunted animal looking at the approaching dogs and hunters, looked first at one and then at the other. “Natalya Ilyinichna,” Pierre began, lowering his eyes and feeling a feeling of pity for her and disgust for the operation that he had to perform, “whether it’s true or not, it should be all the same to you, because...” “So it’s not It's true that he is married! - No, its true. – Was he married for a long time? - she asked, - honestly? Pierre gave her his word of honor. – Is he still here? – she asked quickly. - Yes, I saw him just now. She was obviously unable to speak and made signs with her hands to leave her. Pierre did not stay for dinner, but immediately left the room and left. He went around the city to look for Anatoly Kuragin, at the thought of whom all the blood now rushed to his heart and he had difficulty catching his breath. In the mountains, among the gypsies, among the Comoneno, it was not there. Pierre went to the club. In the club everything went on as usual: the guests who had come to dine sat in groups and greeted Pierre and talked about city news. The footman, having greeted him, reported to him, knowing his acquaintance and habits, that a place had been left for him in the small dining room, that Prince Mikhail Zakharych was in the library, and Pavel Timofeich had not arrived yet. One of Pierre's acquaintances, between talking about the weather, asked him if he had heard about Kuragin's kidnapping of Rostova, which they talk about in the city, is it true? Pierre laughed and said that this was nonsense, because he was now only from the Rostovs. He asked everyone about Anatole; one told him that he had not come yet, the other that he would dine today. It was strange for Pierre to look at this calm, indifferent crowd of people who did not know what was going on in his soul. He walked around the hall, waited until everyone had arrived, and without waiting for Anatole, he did not have lunch and went home.