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While the Old and New Testaments of the Bible also praise the faithful believers of the individual congregations of Israel and of the body of Christ as the saints of the Lord, the [[canonization|canonized]] [[saint]]s, both men and women, especially the [[martyrs]], are the heroes of the Christian faith, worthy of reverent respect and admiration (''dulia''). They stand as the "standard", the "canon" of the measure of the man of God,<ref>Ephesians 4:11-16</ref> who surround the faithful saints on earth as a "cloud of witnesses".<ref>Hebrews 11:1–12:13</ref> Those Christians past and present who have done and even now are doing splendidly admirable works of good<ref>John 14:12-14</ref>, especially to the poor and sick, to orphans and widows, to the violently persecuted, those Christians who defend the right, who protect the defenseless, and support just legislation on behalf of human life and dignity and freedom of conscience and of worship, are worthy of admiration and sincere imitation, who cause many to give thanks and praise to the one true God (''latria'').  

While the Old and New Testaments of the Bible also praise the faithful believers of the individual congregations of Israel and of the body of Christ as the saints of the Lord, the [[canonization|canonized]] [[saint]]s, both men and women, especially the [[martyrs]], are the heroes of the Christian faith, worthy of reverent respect and admiration (''dulia''). They stand as the "standard", the "canon" of the measure of the man of God,<ref>Ephesians 4:11-16</ref> who surround the faithful saints on earth as a "cloud of witnesses".<ref>Hebrews 11:1–12:13</ref> Those Christians past and present who have done and even now are doing splendidly admirable works of good<ref>John 14:12-14</ref>, especially to the poor and sick, to orphans and widows, to the violently persecuted, those Christians who defend the right, who protect the defenseless, and support just legislation on behalf of human life and dignity and freedom of conscience and of worship, are worthy of admiration and sincere imitation, who cause many to give thanks and praise to the one true God (''latria'').  

The Catholic and Orthodox "cult of the saints", properly understood, is promoted as a Christian form of hero-worship by them both (''dulia''), setting before the eyes of the faithful edifying examples of God-given [[faith]], [[hope]], [[Agape|charity]] and [[virtue]] to be ardently admired and sincerely imitated (''dulia''), inciting them, the faithful, to lift their hearts and minds to God (''latria'') and to the practice of the [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]].<ref>Ephesians 2:9-10</ref> Some of them have worked [[miracles]], seen visions and dreamed dreams, and uttered true prophecies.<ref>Acts 2:17-19</ref> The faithful are encouraged by Catholic and Orthodox leaders to join in their prayers together with them, with the saints, to honor them as those whom God honors (''dulia''), to ask for their assistance by their prayers of [[intercession]] to God who alone (''latria'') is the source of all grace and salvation, and who, as his Friends whom he has appointed as his own authorized ambassadors and patrons and ministers of virtue,<ref>Genesis 22:15-18; Exodus 33:11; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Wisdom 7:27-28; Isaiah 41:8; John 14:12-24; 15:9-17; 17:6-26; James 2:23; 4:4.</ref> <ref>2 Corinthians 5:20; Romans 14:8-9; Matthew 22:32; Exodus 3:6</ref> are spiritual shepherds of the Church and encouragers and protectors together with the pastors on earth, the shepherds of the whole congregation of the faithful.<ref>Genesis 20:7, 17; Exodus 3:6; Job 42:7-10; Isaiah 14:9-20; 2 Maccabees 15:12-16; Matthew 22:32; Luke 16:22-31; Acts 20:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; Hebrews 12:1, 22-24; 13:7, 17; 2 Peter 1:12-15; Revelation 6:9-11; 8:3-4.</ref>  

The Catholic and Orthodox "cult of the saints", properly understood, is promoted by both of them as a Christian form of hero-worship (''dulia''), setting before the eyes of the faithful edifying examples of God-given [[faith]], [[hope]], [[Agape|charity]] and [[virtue]] to be ardently admired and sincerely imitated (''dulia''), inciting them, the faithful, to lift their hearts and minds to God (''latria'') and to the practice of the [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]].<ref>Ephesians 2:9-10</ref> Some of them have worked [[miracles]], seen visions and dreamed dreams, and uttered true prophecies.<ref>Acts 2:17-19</ref> The faithful are encouraged by Catholic and Orthodox leaders to join in their prayers together with them, with the saints, to honor them as those whom God honors (''dulia''), to ask for their assistance by their prayers of [[intercession]] to God who alone (''latria'') is the source of all grace and salvation, and who, as his Friends whom he has appointed as his own authorized ambassadors and patrons and ministers of virtue,<ref>Genesis 22:15-18; Exodus 33:11; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Wisdom 7:27-28; Isaiah 41:8; John 14:12-24; 15:9-17; 17:6-26; James 2:23; 4:4.</ref> <ref>2 Corinthians 5:20; Romans 14:8-9; Matthew 22:32; Exodus 3:6</ref> are spiritual shepherds of the Church and encouragers and protectors together with the pastors on earth, the shepherds of the whole congregation of the faithful.<ref>Genesis 20:7, 17; Exodus 3:6; Job 42:7-10; Isaiah 14:9-20; 2 Maccabees 15:12-16; Matthew 22:32; Luke 16:22-31; Acts 20:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; Hebrews 12:1, 22-24; 13:7, 17; 2 Peter 1:12-15; Revelation 6:9-11; 8:3-4.</ref>  

In the Bible, God Himself honors ''dulia'' those who honor Him ''latria''<ref>1 Samuel 2:6-10; 1 Peter 5:6</ref> and exalts the humble. The L<small>ORD</small> says through his prophet Samuel, "Those who honor me [''latria''] I will honor [''dulia'']."<ref>[http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/2-30.htm 1 Samuel 2:30e]</ref> Jesus says, "if any one serves me [''latria''], the Father will honor him (her) [''dulia'']." <ref>[https://biblehub.com/john/12-26.htm John 12:26]</ref> For this reason, Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe that to honor those whom God has honored pleases and honors Him as part of His worship and glory, and to dishonor them sorrows, offends and dishonors Him as a form of [[blasphemy]] and [[sacrilege]].

In the Bible, God Himself honors ''dulia'' those who honor Him ''latria''<ref>1 Samuel 2:6-10; 1 Peter 5:6</ref> and exalts the humble. The L<small>ORD</small> says through his prophet Samuel, "Those who honor me [''latria''] I will honor [''dulia'']."<ref>[http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/2-30.htm 1 Samuel 2:30e]</ref> Jesus says, "if any one serves me [''latria''], the Father will honor him (her) [''dulia'']." <ref>[https://biblehub.com/john/12-26.htm John 12:26]</ref> For this reason, Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe that to honor those whom God has honored pleases and honors Him as part of His worship and glory, and to dishonor them sorrows, offends and dishonors Him as a form of [[blasphemy]] and [[sacrilege]].