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Should We Celebrate Sainthood?


For many Protestants and reformed denominations, All Saints' Day is not celebrated. The holiday is associated with orthodox churches like The Roman Catholic Church, The Greek Orthodox Church, and The Eastern Orthodox Church. Sainthood is associated with pious men and women who seem larger than life. It encompasses the lives of bishops, monks, and other holy men who led extreme lives for Christ. These venerable people seem to must of us untouchable; as if they were filled with a greater holiness. This view is propagated by the orthodox, but the truth is that everyone who believers in The Holy Trinity is a saint. There is no distinction between St. Benedict and Billy Graham before God. Thus, All Saints' Day is truly a celebration of every believer who lives and who is in celestial paradise with Christ. This holiday celebrates us all! Still, I think it is worthwhile to revere saints that inspire devotion and resolve in "running the race" of our faith.

I have been studying the Early Church fathers and found their resolve remarkable. Reading about martyrs such as St. Blandina who was gorged by a bull and the many others who gave their lives for the Gospel reminds me of how blessed I am to freely preach God's Word. The Apostles and Early Church Fathers I admire and revere are St. Paul, St. John Son of Thunder, St. Luke, St. Mark, St. Timothy, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Mary Sister of Lazarus. Among the canonized saints of the orthodox churches I admire: St. Benedict, St. Joan D'Arc, St. George,  and St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Louis IX "The Pious" who led two crusades. I honor St. Martin Luther who posted his 95 Thesis and started the Reformation. I also revere and highly respect St. William Tyndale and St. John Wycliffe who published and perished to have the Bible translated in English.  Modern saints I admire are Billy Graham, Joyce Myers, and Joni Earekson Tada.

There are many saints both ancient and contemporary who deserve to be remembered and revered. They are not to be prayed to or worshiped. Reverence is to show them respect. We honor them for their devotion to Christ and their good "run of the race." It says in the Scriptures, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us," (Hebrews 12:1). The saints of the past are watching us running the race! They cheer for us to carry our cross and follow Christ. We do not contact or communicate with the dead saints, for that is necromancy and forbidden by God. But we can honor their memory and let their stories inspire us.

To celebrate All Saints' Day, I decided to utilize technology of the 21st Century. I have urged my brothers and sisters in Christ to pick a saint from the past or present and post their picture on their facebook profile. You can do the same on twitter, Google+ or any other social networking site. Pick a saint and use their picture for your profile picture or cover photo. Share a little about them and why you chose them. I picked St. Herman of Alaska. St. Herman was a monk from Russia who became a missionary to Alaska during Russian colonizing of North America. It is said that Herman was known "for his gentle approach and his ascetic life earned him the love and respect of the native Alaskans and the Russian Colonists." (Wikipedia). I chose Herman because he was a missionary to America. I have been to Alaska and am glad to hear that he was positive example of Christianity to the natives. In fact, Herman was champion for the Alaskans. He taught them the catechism, singing, reading, and writing!

St. Herman of Alaska
So celebrate All Saints' Day and remind yourself that you are not alone! Honor the dead that did deeds that showed the greatest devotion. What a perfect holiday to follow up Halloween! Instead of filling your mind with morbid monsters, you can fill your mind with monks and missionaries who ministered the Gospel to the lost. Remember that one day you might be venerated by those you love. Your story might inspire devotion to Christ for future generations! So think on that! If you are uncomfortable with recognizing orthodox saints, then pick those Churchmen and Churchwomen who you most admire and who have inspired you in your faith.
                 Have a Happy Saints' Day!

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