The importance of the Saints in the life of Orthodoxy

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

This unit presents the sources and kinds of early Christian and Byzantine hagiology and the basic hagiological terminology. There is an exhaustive reference to the most important authors of hagiological texts and to the main stages of hagiology in the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods. The ‘choirs’ of saints and their ‘boldness’ and prayers to God are analyzed. A theological approach is made to the miracles and the various collections are examined. The theological enshrinement of the honor paid to saints and sacred relics, as well as the history and modern canonical practice of the Orthodox Church for the recognition of new saints.

In particular:

1. Written texts which are included in the Hagiological texts, short biographies, and bibliographies of the main hagiological authors of Orthodoxy references to the people and categories of personnel who make up the subject matter of the hagiological texts.

2. Recognition and proclamation of the Saints, from the Early Christian era until today, as well as the historical and theological views of issues that have a direct relationship with Hagiology: Sacred Relics, Sanctity, Deification.