Why Do We as Orthodox Christians Venerate the Saints?
True worship belongs to God alone. We do not worship the saints we venerate them. Recognizing the work of God mani-
fested in the saints by abundant grace, their cooperation with it, and their position in the Communion of Saints according to
the Divine plan, the Christian soul is led to admire them, to ask for their prayers with God, and to desire to imitate them. We are
to use the stories of their lives and struggles as examples to help us in our individual journey towards Jesus Christ. When Jesus
becomes Lord of your life you do not have to feel threatened by the love and devotion shown to the other members of the
household of faith. That is exactly what saints are - members of the same family who love and honor each other.
This kind of unity among all believers whether living or departed, is called the "communion of saints." The church militant on
earth and the church triumphant in heaven are not separated. Death does not separate the members of the one body. There is
oneness in the body of Christ that is reaffirmed and renewed each time the Eucharist is celebrated. That is why the Deacon/
Priest exclaim "May the lord our God remember all of us in His Kingdom now and forever and unto the ages of ages." They are
implying both the living and the faithful departed.
Convincing evidence of this truth is found in Paul's epistle to the Hebrews where the saints of the past are called collectively
"a cloud of witnesses." (12:1). The centrality of Jesus is not lost in the veneration of the saints it is actually enhanced, that we
are urged "to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2).
Honoring the departed saints is simply a continuation of the honor which they enjoyed while they were still with us. We are
instructed by God's word "in honor preferring one another" (1 Peter 2:17). "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1 Tim. 5:17). "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood" (Rom.
12:10) This duty to honor fellow saints does not terminate at death, but rather abides in the "communion of the saints," namely
in the unity of the church both on earth and in heaven. Calling to remembrance the saints of the past naturally lifts the mind to
Jesus Christ. Accordingly, in the liturgy the deacon exhorts the people ; "Having remembered all the saints, again, in peace, let
us pray to the Lord. In this instance "saints" refers to both the living members of the church, as well as the as well as the de-
parted souls.
Below is a list of Angels and Saints Called Upon for Special Purposes.
CATEGORIES OF ANGELS
According to St. Dimitri of Rostov, each of the Holy Bodiless Hosts possesses special powers to help in diverse needs:
Seraphim
Inspire us with flaming love for God.
Cherubim
Grant us wisdom, understanding, illumination of the eyes of our soul for God-knowledge.
Thrones
Aid rulers and judges in making righteous judgments.
Dominions
Grant strength to authorities established by God to rule wisely; teach us to master our senses, to humble within ourselves evil
desires and passions, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to rule over our will, and to overcome every temptation
Powers
Aid those who labor and who are burdened by the weight of an obedience placed upon them; they bear the infirmities of the
weak and strengthen a person in patience, so that in sorrows he will not faint, but will forbear all afflictions with a firm spirit
and courage, with humility and gratitude to God who works all things for profit.
Authorities
Have power to repulse temptations sent by demons upon people; prevent the demons from harming men to the extent that
they would wish; aid ascetics in spiritual struggles and labors, guarding them lest they lose the heavenly kingdom; aid those
fighting the passions to banish evil thoughts and suggestions of the enemies and to conquer the devil.
Principalities
Govern and preserve all kingdoms, princedoms, tribes and nations of the earth, each nation having its own protector among
them; also inspire people to render honor to those in authority; raise worthy people to various positions of honor so that their
service might be to the glory of God and the service of their neighbor, not for personal gain and grandeur.
Archangels
Reveal prophecies, the knowledge of God, and the will of God; St. Gregory Dialogist says that they strengthen people in the Holy
Faith, illuminating their minds with the light of knowledge of the Holy Gospel and revealing the mysteries of the True Faith.
Angels, especially Guardian Angels
Guide people in virtue, protect from harm, give support to the pious lest they fall; if they fall, raise them up, never abandoning
them even though they have sinned; ever ready to help us, if only we desire their aid.
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Koinonia May & June 2014
eacon Keric’s Corner
REV. DEACON KERIC SHIEPIS, D.C.
To Have a Child
St. Anna, Mother of the Theotokos
St. Elizabeth, Mother of the Forerunner
St. Sabbas the Sanctified of Palestine
St. Irene Chrysovolantou
St. Symeon the Myrrh-streamer, father of St. Sava of Serbia
For Safe Childbirth
St. Eleutherios
For the Care & Protection of Infants
St. Stylianos
For Young People
Holy Great Martyr Demetrios the Wonderworker
For Marital Difficulties
Holy Martyrs Shamuna, Guria & Habib
SS. Peter & Febronia of Muron (also for newlyweds)
For Married Couples
SS. Adrian and Natalia
SS. Timothy and Maura
For the Elderly
SS. Symeon the God-receiver and
Anna the Prophetess
Delivery from Sudden Death
St. Barbara the Great Martyr
Against Drinking
Holy Martyr Boniface & the Righteous Aglais
For Travelers
St. Nicholas: in general, & specifically for sea travel
St. John the Russian: for transport, auto, busses
St. Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople: for safety at sea
For the Kitchen, Home
St. Euphrosynos the Cook
St. Sergius of Radonezh: for baking
SS. Spyridon & Nikodim of Kievo-Pechersk*: Prosphora making
St. Juliana Lazarevskaya
St. Prochor of Kievo-Pechersk
For Cobblers
St. Eustathius the Cobbler of Georgia
For Stone-Workers
Holy Martyrs Florus & Laurus
For Trading
St. Paraskeva
For Physicians
St. Panteleimon
Holy Unmercenaries
St. Agapit the Physician of Kievo-Pechersk
For Workers in Hospitals
Holy Unmercenaries
St. Dositheus, Disciple of Abba Dorotheus
For Perfumers
St. Abo the Perfumer of Georgi
For Finding Employment
St. Xenia of St. Petersburg
Pray to These Saints For ...
For Ears
St. Spyridon the Wonderworker
For Eyes
St. Paraskeva
St. Lucia of Sicily
For Headaches
Holy New Martyr Demas of Smyrna
For Hernias & Intestinal Disorders
Holy Great Martyr Artemius
St. Artemius of Verkola
For Mental Disorders
St. Naum of Ochrid
St. Anastasia
St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia: the possessed
For Teeth
St. Antipas of Pergamum
For Throat
St. Blaise of Sebastia
Against the Plague
St. Haralambos
St. Marina the Great Martyr
St. Bessarion of the Saviour, Archbishop of Larissa
For Patient Endurance of Affliction
St. Job the Much-Suffering
St. Eustathius Placidas & Family
Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia: especially in freezing cold
weather
Holy Forty-Two Martyrs of Amorion
St. Pimen the Much-Suffering of Kievo-Pechersk
For Help in Studies
Three Hierarchs: St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom,
St. Gregory the Theologian
St. Sergius of Radonezh
St. John of Kronstadt
St. Nestor the Chronicler of Kievo-Pechersk
St. Justin the Philosopher
For Church-Chanting
St. Romanos the Melodist
St. Theodosius of Chernigov
St. John Koukouzelis
SS. Leonty & Geronty, Canonarchs of Kievo-Pechersk
For Iconographers
St. Luke the Apostle and Evangelist
St. Alypius of Kievo-Pechersk
St. John of Damascus
For Protection Against Thieves
St. Gregory the Wonderworker of Kievo-Pechersk
For Soldiers
Holy Archangel Michael
St. George the Great Martyr
St. Barbara the Great Martyr
St. Titus the Soldier of Kievo-Pechersk
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