Saint

A saint is a person who is widely recognized for exceptional holiness or virtue, and in many traditions is venerated after death as an intercessor or model of faith. The term derives from Latin sanctus 'holy,' and in many languages the honorific 'Saint' is used as a formal title before a name (for example, Saint Francis or San Francesco).

In the Christian tradition, sainthood carries localized and universal dimensions. In the Catholic Church, formal canonization follows a process beginning with a thorough investigation of the person's life and miracles, progressing from Servant of God and Venerable to Blessed through beatification, and ultimately to canonization, proclaimed by the pope. Saints are honored on feast days, associated with patronages, and revered through relics and pilgrimage sites. The Orthodox Church also venerates saints through liturgy and icons, with canonization typically performed by synods and local churches rather than a centralized papal decree.

Protestant and Anglican churches have varied practices; many emphasize the exemplary lives of faith-filled Christians without formal canonization. In broader usage, 'saint' can simply mean a devout Christian or all members of the Christian community (the 'communion of saints'), while in many lands the title remains part of place names, churches, and art.

Outside Christianity, similar concepts exist but are named differently; some traditions honor holy figures who intercede for worshippers, sometimes described as 'awliya' in Islam or revered sages in Hinduism and Buddhism. The term 'saint' thus functions as both a religious title and a cultural designation for esteemed, virtuous figures across contexts.