Why do Orthodox Christians honor the saints?

Question

The Scriptures themselves call us to honor other Christians, both the living and departed. In Acts 28:10, Saint Luke writes, "They also honorus in many ways." The biblical injuction concerning Mary, "All generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48), is an example of how we are to honor the saints for all time(see also Heb. 11:4-40). We are to honor all believers and true authorities, not just departed ones. This why Saint Paul exhorts us to honor one another(1 Tim. 5:17), and why Saint Peter tells husbands to honor their wives (1 Pet. 3:7). We are called to obay and honor our civil authorities (Rom. 13:1-7). In Orthodox worship, we see pictures or icons of the believers of history all around us. This is, in part, how we honor our forerunners in the Faith. In prase and worship of God. We come to join "an innumerable company of angels," and "the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven," and "the spirits of just men made perfect."

Answer 1

i didnt really understand the discription but i will answer your question:

the meaning of Orthodox "straight faith" we honor Saints because they suffered alot for Christ Jesus until they died and they sacrificed their blood for His Holy Name.

if only i died the same way they did i would be eternally happy and greatfull to Christ Jesus for choosing me to be a Saint.

Answer 2

As a Christian I agree with you that it is good to commemorate those who have lived for Jesus in the past and to treasure their writings. Many modern Christians do not know what they are missing because they have never heard of (for example) John of Apamea or Ephrem of Nisibis or Philoxenus. It is as though the whole history of our faith and the contribution of all the faithful is being ignored.

I also agree with you that the believing 'dead' are not really dead at all, (John11v25).

Personally, I am a bit wary of icons etc, but I have to admit that iconography (pictures of biblical scenes) when used as a teaching-aid is supported by the NT, (Galatians3v1).

I think there is a problem in the Orthodox Church in relation to praying to the dead, including the apostles, Mary, etc and asking them for their help to mediate between ourselves and God. Out of respect for Paul who said that Jesus is our only mediator (1Timothy2v5) and the words of Jesus which imply that such mediation by the dead is not possible, (Luke16v28~31) perhaps this practice needs to be reconsidered? But perhaps I am wrong and you will correct me.

Answer 3

Because Christianity evolved fromm Paganism and many early religions like the Greeks and Romans had a gazillion gods so the Christians had to figure out how to attract those believers to their new monotheistic religion without making them give up all of their security blankets.The notion that three Gods are really one is a bit tenuous as well. And then, of course, there is the world famous Pagan egg that Christians use each Easter as futher evidence of it's derivation.

Answer 4

What's an orthodox Christian? A Roman Catholic?
Protestants don't go around honouring dead saints for they believe that all true Christians are saints.
Listening to the Roman church manipulate the terms for making saints is laughable - particularly its recent attempt to beatify priests who collaborated with the Nazis.

Answer 5

We do honour them we just don't believe in praying to them. There is no evidence in scripture that any of them did or that we should. Something that important wouldn't have been ommitted. On top of it we are given an exhortation in the old testament not to consort with the dead.

Answer 6

When I first came in to Y&A I thought that Religion and Spirituality would be a nice place to be. Then I found that it was mostly a contest between the atheists and the believers.
Who can ramble on and on and itellectualize the longest. I leave you to your overly long dissetations and I'll continue to believe in my God.
Good luck.

Answer 7

This isn't Yahoo Rhetorical Questions with Answers. If you want to preach a sermon, do it in a church.

Answer 8

Yes, I have asked myself the same question many times.
Most Christians have a lot to learn about their faith.
I Cr 13;8a
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=As0LxS10WDUdini7QwbH4n_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071102013947AAdC1e8

Answer 9

Thanks for all the info on the Orthodox Church. I am married to a Greek who has never been able to give me any answers about his "religion". You are giving me a few today.

Answer 10

Not all christians honor the saints. also I don't really understand your question what do you mean?