Perhaps any religion in the world is based not only on faith that does not need explanation and recognition of the highest spiritual object of worship, but also on a special attitude towards certain characters who have shown themselves in a religious cult, healed or resurrected people, sacrificed the most valuable for faith, those. became saints.
Instructions
Step 1
Any religion, except perhaps Buddhism, has its saints, who are revered to a greater or lesser extent. A kind of hierarchy is formed, which, for example, in official Christianity is based on the value of the deed of each saint and the degree of his proximity to God. Not every adherent of religion can be a saint, holiness must be recognized by the church, and a person and his life canonized and described in the Lives.
Step 2
Holy saints of God, saints and wonderworkers, saints and righteous, martyrs and passion-bearers - these concepts in relation to a particular person could be operated only centuries after his death. Today, Orthodoxy and Catholicism have abandoned this dogma, and the world sometimes saw with amazement the saints who died very recently, almost their contemporaries. This approach certainly raises some doubts.
Step 3
As far back as the 12th century, Catholicism described the hierarchy of saints: Virgins along with the Apostles, then Martyrs, Confessors, Prophets and the lower level - Patriarchs. However, there is also the concept of "blessed" - they are not saints, but close to God and faith, distinguished and worthy of veneration. This concept in Orthodoxy corresponds to the concept of "holy fool".
Step 4
By the way, the history of Orthodoxy has left a characteristic imprint on the hierarchy of the faces of holiness. Unlike the clear-cut Western tradition, there is a lot of confusion and, accordingly, many steps. The disciples of Jesus are the Apostles and 70 companions of his Church, they are followed by the unserverred and the faithful (it is believed that they should be excluded from this rank). Even during their lifetime, the unselfish and faithful were known for their disinterestedness and devotion to faith; after death they did not stop working miracles. The most famous saints are Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus of Alexandria.
Step 5
Further, the step is occupied by the blessed (also a dubious hypostasis, very similar to the holy fools) - they are considered saved and revered as evidence of the power of God.
Step 6
The Great Martyrs and Confessors, who appeared during the years of persecution, are considered the most ancient face of saints for both Orthodox and Catholics. The cult of the great martyrs to this day is closely associated with myths and legends, some of which are close to paganism. The most famous example is Ionan the Baptist - Ivan (Kupala), a saint whose birthday is celebrated on the pagan holiday Yarilov day.
Step 7
The righteous occupy the next step, they are called the Old Testament Patriarchs. Behind them are the venerable martyrs and monastic confessors, saints (monks), equal to the apostles, saints, sacred confessors and hieromartyrs (clergymen, respectively), then: passion-bearers, miracle-workers and the aforementioned holy fools. Christianity is one of the few religions that also presupposes the presence of locally revered saints.
Step 8
Islam demonstrates a different approach to saints. Monotheistic religion does not understand the worship of anyone but Allah. All others are only honored. The most revered is the prophet Muhammad, he delivered the word of God. Knows Islam and all the other prophets that are mentioned in Christianity. Moreover, he knows and recognizes Jesus as one of the most important prophets. Messengers follow the prophets. Everything. Peace is Allah, Allah is peace. No more needed.
