Christian Cyclopedia

The word saints has been used by the ch. in several ways. In Scripture it refers to believers on earth (e.g., Ro 1:7; Acts 9:32) and in heaven (e.g., Mt 27:52).

In current ecclesiastical language, saints refers to the faithful departed who have been recognized by the ch. as deserving the title. In RCm this is done by canonization. Luths. have no rite of canonization and ordinarily do not grant the title “saint” to anyone except those who were canonized before the Reformation.

For saints who have been included in Luth. calendars and service books see Church Year, 16–17. EFP