In the Orthodox church there are different categories, so to speak, who belong to the same general concept of the sanctity of the face.An ordinary man who has only recently come into the Church, to be a little unclear why one - the holy martyr, the other - a martyr, etc.Canonization occurs when the canonization, or, depending on the works during his lifetime.To help deal with this issue can present a consolidated list of holiness.
images of saints in the Russian Orthodox Church
Christians revere their saints from very ancient times.Originally, the cult spread to the apostles and martyrs, the saints of the Old Testament prophets and patriarchs.In the same period evolved as the veneration of saints Primates first local churches, and then formed the general church a cult.Historical development in the future leads to the formation of other ranks of saints, the veneration of which is organically entered in a common cult.
apostles
all started with the closest disciples of Jesus Christ - Apostles, whom He sent to preach the Christian faith after came upon them the Holy Spirit.At first they were twelve, but then Jesus chose seventy.Two of the apostle Peter and Paul have worked more than others for the faith, and therefore they were called Ss.But four of the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are called evangelists, as they wrote the Holy Gospel.
Forefathers
Faces Old Testament saints venerated by the Church as executors of God's will to the New Testament era, called patriarchs.They are the parents of the Virgin Bogottsy righteous Joachim and Anne and the Virgin St Joseph the Betrothed.
prophets
Old Testament images of saints, foretells the coming of Jesus Christ and the prophets of God's will, are called prophets.These include the Old Testament patriarch Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses and John the Baptist - the last prophet.
Equal Apostles
images of saints, refers to the true faith through the gospel of the Gospel, called Sts.So turn to Mary Magdalene, Holy Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena, Slavs educators Cyril and Methodius, St. Princess Olga, Saint Prince Vladimir, Cross Russ.
hierarchs
Saints acquire holiness in the episcopal ministry, God is worthy to fish in the achievement of the kingdom of heaven, famous for irreproachable life and death of the righteous are called bishops.Among them is St. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom and Saint Nicholas.The first Russian prelate was the third Bishop of Rostov St.Leonty (1077).
apostle Paul wrote that with the help of the Holy Spirit another is given the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge, to another faith, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another gifts of healing, to another discerning of spirits, to another different tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues, dividing to each his own.
Martyrs
In today's world of saints who shed their blood for the true Christian faith, are called martyrs.The first martyr in the highest sense of the word became Jesus Christ, who brought himself as a sacrifice for man's sins.The second martyr of the Christian faith became the apostle of the 70 Archdeacon Stefan (33-36 years.).
GreatMartyr
Martyrs, have undergone particularly brutal torture and punishment, but to stand firm in the faith, are called martyrs.These include St. George, St. Panteleimon the Healer, Demetrios and Anastasia.
PriestMartyr
Holy Martyrs, have a sacred rite called the Holy Martyr.Among them, the bishop of Antioch, Ignatius, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Hermogenes, Kuksha Pechersky, Dimitrij Apansky (Nerovetsky).
Martyr
martyrs belonging to the number of monks and nuns are called Martyr, including Leakey Russian saints, such as Gregory Cave, rests in the Near Anthony Cave.
martyrs
Christians, a martyr's death in the name of the Lord, but because of human wickedness and deceit are called martyrs.Martyrs in Russia were considered holy princes Boris and Gleb, and the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II and his family.
confessors
Christians who after torment and torture for the open glorification of faith in Christ during the persecution were still alive, were called confessors.In Russia, it was Maximus the Confessor and St Luke (war-Yasenetsky).
disinterested
Holy renounced his wealth for the sake of faith, called disinterested.And it is primarily Cosmas and Damian, blood brothers who suffered as martyrs in the III century.
Righteous
princes and kings, who became famous and godly life, caring for the strengthening of faith in Christ, as members of the saint half.These include Prince Alexander Nevsky, and the Prince Vladimir of Kiev.
Blessed
Representatives of the holy ascetics who have chosen a special feat of foolishness - the image of the external frenzy to attain inner humility.In the XIX century in Russia began to make the holy epithet "Blessed," a synonym for "yurodievy."Among the saints glorified the Blessed Augustine.In the Ancient Rus was Basil.
Reverend
Christians acquire holiness in monastic asceticism called reverend.
This special rite are the founders of laurel and monasteries, is Anthony and Theodosius, St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. Seraphim of Sarov.
The Christian church became known as the venerable Anthony the Great and Saint Ephrem.
righteous people who have attained holiness in ordinary life of his family and community, are called righteous.In the Old Testament it was Noah and Job, in the New Testament - Joachim and Anna, Joseph the Betrothed, from the Russian saints - John of Kronstadt.
Stylites
holy saints who have chosen for themselves a special feat - to focus on prayer and standing on a pillar, called Stylites.These include St. Simeon, Nikita Perejaslavskogo and Sawa Vishera.
Wonderworker
Saints, famous for the gift of performing miracles, called miracle workers.Witnessed miracles is the basic condition for the canonization of a saint.
Among Wonderworkers especially revered Saint Nicholas of Myra and St. Anthony Roman.
Fools
Devotees accepting the deed of madness called holy fools.This kind of penance have a radical means for the destruction of a pride.The most famous fools - it Procopius Ustyug and Basil.
Who canonized
Today the face of holiness have all the righteous saints, confessors, martyrs, pious Prince, fools for Christ, the prophets, saints, apostles and evagelisty.
and people canonized, who did not deign to martyrdom, became famous for his pious works (hermits and monks).The process of formation of new forms of holiness is still ongoing.
In any Orthodox church have images of saints.The icons with their images allow a person to focus on the divine prayer, which helps him to find complete harmony, not only with myself but also with the outside world.
