An overview of the concepts of holiness and the cult of saints in the Church during the patristic period
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15633/ps.29411Keywords:
concepts of holiness, cult of saints, patristic periodAbstract
In the theology of the patristic era (1st–8th centuries), holiness was primarily ascribed to God, with human beings becoming holy through participation in His grace, made possible by Christ and the Holy Spirit. Initially, the term „saint” referred collectively to all the faithful who had been sanctified through baptism and faith. Over time, particularly from the 3rd and 4th centuries onward, the designation came to be reserved for exceptional individuals distinguished by their virtue and commitment — first and foremost martyrs, and subsequently monks, ascetics, and bishops. Patristic theology articulated five principal concepts of human sanctification: deification (participation in the divine nature), sanctification by the Holy Spirit, sanctification through divine grace, the pursuit of moral perfection, and holiness understood as a normative model of Christian life as proposed by the Church. The veneration of saints developed gradually and achieved formal recognition by the 4th and 5th centuries, when saints began to be presented as intercessors before God. Holiness was no longer seen exclusively as the consequence of martyrdom but also as the fruit of a virtuous, Christ-like life marked by humility, charity, and peace. With this evolution emerged new typologies of saints, and the production of hagiographical literature flourished. Saints not only shaped Christian communities but were also shaped by them — their portrayals reflected the spiritual aspirations, fears, and ideals of the faithful. Ultimately, despite the diversity of theological understandings of holiness, the Church formally adopted only one concept for the purpose of canonization: holiness as a normative model of Christian life.
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