Meaning of Names

CHRONIAPOLLA

GREEKNAMEDAYS

(Flash)

Classification of Saints

In the early Church everybody could be called a saint, who had been baptized in the tradition of the Church. In our society however, who can be addressed as a saint? Many Orthodox theologians classify the saints in six categories (in order of importancy):

1.	The Apostles They were the first ones to spread the message of the Incarnation of the Word of God and of salvation through Christ.
2.	The Prophets They predicted and prophesied the coming of the Messiah.
3.	The Martyrs They sacrificed their lives and fearlessly confessed Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.
4.	The Fathers and Hierarchs of the Church They excelled in explaining and in defending, by word and deed, the Christian faith.
5.	The Monastics They lived in the desert and dedicated themselves to spiritual exercise (askesis), reaching, as far as possible, perfection in Christ.
6.	The Just They lived in the world, leading exemplary lives as clergy or laity with their families, becoming examples for imitation in society.