An Orthodox Response on the Veneration of the Saints

 Priest George Maximov

Yesterday, the Church celebrated the feast of All Saints. Protestants, Muslims, and Jehovah’s Witnesses often reproach Orthodox Christians for venerating the saints—and especially for praying to them. How may we respond?

1. The Nature of Orthodox Prayers to the Saints

First, it must be clarified that prayers to the saints in the Orthodox Church are not only supplicatory but also eulogistic. For example, canons and the beloved akathists are composed precisely to recall the lives and struggles of the saints, to glorify and bless them for their faithfulness and obedience to God’s will. This is a direct fulfillment of Scripture:

> “Remember your leaders, who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7)  

> “We count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.” (James 5:11)

The Theotokos herself prophesied:  

> “From now on all generations will call me blessed [μακαρίζω].” (Luke 1:48)

In both James and Luke, the Greek verb μακαρίζω means “to bless,” “to extol,” or “to proclaim as blessed.” Yet Protestants do not bless either the Mother of God or the saints—and thereby transgress the very Word of God. Even if they refused to ask the saints for intercession, they would still be obligated to read canons and akathists in their assemblies, so as to remember the saints’ examples and glorify them as Scripture commands.