Criteria for Eastern Orthodox Sainthood

[In_Hoc_Signo312]

There are many men and women in the Eastern Orthodox Church who are officially regarded as saints who aren’t such in the west, and the reverse is likely also true. Two examples of the former that come to mind for me are the Roman Emperor Constantine, and the wife of Pontius Pilate, whom many refer to as Claudia Procula. How does the criteria for sainthood differ in the East and West? Are they different?

 

[SAVINGRACE]

Probably should have posted in the non-Catholic religions page. This forum is for Eastern Catholics.

That said, link below has an explanation:

In summary, the traits or criteria for individuals to be canonized as saints of the Orthodox Church are:

a) Holy Baptism

b) An Orthodox mindset

c) A virtuous life

d) Exceptional service and offering to the Church

e) Miracles

f) Holy Relics.

These are the attributes or criteria of Sainthood. But they are not by themselves all together or separately the criteria of Sainthood. The criterion of Sainthood is the deification of the person, that is, that the Saint has seen the glory of God and has known the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.

hotca.org/orthodoxy/lives-of-saints/452-the-criteria-for-sainthood-according-to-orthodox-tradition

 

[dochawk]

Generally for the Eastern Orthodox, reverence begins ins the local community, and spreads over time. There isn’t really a parallel to the Roman canonization process.

In theory, at least, this can still happen in EC churches, but canonization by the Roman Pontiff tends to be seen as higher status.

“canonization” is, quite literally, adding to the canon, or adding to the church calendar

AMDG

hawk