faithfuls

The faithful is a term used to designate people who have faith in a religion or who are adherents of a religious community. The plural form faithfuls is rare in modern English; most texts use the collective noun "the faithful" to refer to believers as a group or to individuals who are faithful.

The word derives from Latin fides via Old and Middle English developments, conveying loyalty and belief. In religious usage, it often denotes commitment to the core tenets and practices of a faith.

In Christianity, especially within Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and many Protestant traditions, "the faithful" commonly refers to baptized believers who participate in the life of the church. This can include laypeople as well as those who are not ordained to the priesthood. The term appears in liturgical texts, pastoral writings, and doctrinal documents to distinguish believers from non-believers, catechumens, or members of religious orders in certain contexts. It can also carry eschatological or doctrinal senses, referring to those who persevere in faith.

In other religious contexts, translators sometimes render the concept as "the believers" or "the followers." The exact term chosen often depends on doctrinal emphasis and linguistic convention within a given tradition.

In academic and sociological contexts, "the faithful" serves as a social category describing people who identify with, and regularly practice, a religion. It can denote shared beliefs, rituals, and community affiliation, alongside the responsibilities and expectations associated with membership.