How and when did the Church start canonizing saints?

[Luke77]

I would like to know when, how and by who the tradition of naming Catholic Saints Started. Not the ones in the bible like Saint John or even the early Christians and Martys. About what year and what Pope could be accredicted with naming saints beyond the ones of the early Church.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi Luke,

It came about gradually. This article from the original Catholic Encyclopedia will give you what you want to know:

Beatification and Canonization

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.