Changes

By one common definition of the word, a '''saint''' is a person who has been recognized by a Christian [[denomination]] and approved for public and private veneration. <ref>Canon 1186 [http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4D.HTM]</ref> Saints, especially those from the Apostolic and Ancient periods of church history, often were [[martyr]]s  (people who died for their faith or for another person).  

By one common definition of the word, a '''saint''' is a person who has been recognized by a Christian [[denomination]] and approved for public and private veneration. <ref>Canon 1186 [http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4D.HTM]</ref> Saints, especially those from the Apostolic and Ancient periods of church history, often were [[martyr]]s  (people who died for their faith or for another person).  

In [[Catholic]] tradition and law, all saints are associated with miracles, either in this life or thereafter, through miracles that occur when praying to them after their deaths to intercede with their own prayers to God (see [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%205:16&version=KJV James 5:16] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2peter%201:13-15&version=KJV 2 Peter 1:13-15]).  Catholic and [[Eastern Orthodox]] doctrine holds that saints are able to intercede with God on behalf of living persons, or for mankind generally, and that miracles by God may occur as a result.

In [[Catholic]] tradition and law, all saints are associated with miracles, either in this life or thereafter, through miracles that occur when praying to them after their deaths to intercede with their own prayers to God (see [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%205:16&version=KJV James 5:16] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2peter%201:13-15&version=KJV 2 Peter 1:13-15]).  Catholic and [[Eastern Orthodox]] doctrine holds that saints are able to intercede with God on behalf of living persons, or for mankind generally, and that miracles by God may occur as a result. All members of the Christian communities are called saints in the New Testament. ''Canonical'' saints, canonized saints, by distinction are those saints formally recognized from among the saints as extraordinary examples of sanctity and holiness, gifted by God as "heroes" of the faith for the glory of His Name.

Saints in Roman Catholicism are canonized according to a process which first requires election by any among the faithful to the Vatican Sacred Congregation. The election is made by written petition, which, in the case of a recently living person, requires eyewitness testimony to his miracles. In the case of an ancient cause, only written testimony of the elected person's miracles are admissible. For both ancient and recent causes, the petitioner must make a "chronologically arranged report on the life and deeds of the Servant of God, on his virtues or martyrdom, on his reputation of sanctity and of signs." The cause's miracles, martyrdom, and virtues are examined by the presiding Bishop of the Sacred Congregation. <ref>New Laws for the Causes of Saints (1983)[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_07021983_norme_en.html]</ref> Usually a person is canonized if at least three miracles have been performed by them through lay people asking the deceased to intercede with [[God]] on their behalf. These miracles must be thoroughly investigated by church authorities and declared valid before canonization occurs. For Eastern Orthodox Christians, saints are those whom the whole body of church members believe to be saints.  

Saints in Roman Catholicism are canonized according to a process which first requires election by any among the faithful to the Vatican Sacred Congregation. The election is made by written petition, which, in the case of a recently living person, requires eyewitness testimony to his miracles. In the case of an ancient cause, only written testimony of the elected person's miracles are admissible. For both ancient and recent causes, the petitioner must make a "chronologically arranged report on the life and deeds of the Servant of God, on his virtues or martyrdom, on his reputation of sanctity and of signs." The cause's miracles, martyrdom, and virtues are examined by the presiding Bishop of the Sacred Congregation. <ref>New Laws for the Causes of Saints (1983)[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_07021983_norme_en.html]</ref> Usually a person is canonized if at least three miracles have been performed by them through lay people asking the deceased to intercede with [[God]] on their behalf. These miracles must be thoroughly investigated by church authorities and declared valid before canonization occurs. For Eastern Orthodox Christians, saints are those whom the whole body of church members believe to be saints.