Sainthood

Particular individuals may be recognized within a religion or sect as having lived lives of such holiness that, after their death, their personal charisma is evident to those who did not know them in life. Their spiritual perfection may have been evident in a number of ways, whether as prophet, ascetic, ruler or as a simple but pious person. Exemplifying the highest values of their faith they act as models for others to follow; devotees may call upon the supernatural powers inherent in the holiness of the saint to assist them in their own spiritual journey, whether as intercessor, worker of miracles or helper. The saint may exemplify the ways of action, wisdom or love; their love for God overflowing into love for humanity and healing and redeeming actions.

Although some religions and sects to not recognize saints as such, nonetheless an individual may be venerated by his followers in a manner similar to that reserved for saints - this is true of Judaism and, to some extent, of Protestant Christianity which does not generally accept the idea of an intercessor, God's grace being the sole means of redemption. There is a close connection between [beatification]

, when the person concerned is venerated at least locally after his death, and canonization. In the Roman Catholic Church, canonization is a formal matter and accepted only when there is evidence of miracles having taken place as well as of public veneration. This is true also of the Orthodox Churches, where incorruption of the saint's body is also taken as evidence. Canonization implies recognition of the saint having been accepted into heaven; prayers are no longer made for saint's soul, instead his intercession is invoked.