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 instructors, who preached to you the word of God, and, gazing at the end of their life, imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7)  

> “Behold, we count them blessed who endured patiently. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end thereof from the Lord; for the Lord is very merciful and gracious.” (James 5:11)

The Theotokos herself prophesied:  

> “That He has looked upon the humility of His handmaid, for from now on all nations shall 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.