Saints being called Blessed?

Andreas · Post by **Andreas** » Sat 8 May 2004 2:34 am

How come some are called Blessed, and others are called Saint? What would be the difference?

Seraphim Reeves · Post by **Seraphim Reeves** » Sat 8 May 2004 1:08 pm

Sometimes it's just a matter of habit (for example, the western saint Bede, is still known commonly as the "Venerable Bede" and not "St.Bede"), other times it represents that the person in question was not (or has not yet) been "officially" canonized by a local Orthodox Church, but is commonly regarded (and venerated) as a Saint nonetheless.

Seraphim

Andreas · Post by **Andreas** » Sat 8 May 2004 3:37 pm

Much thanks, Seraphim.

Gregory2 · Post by **Gregory2** » Sat 8 May 2004 8:41 pm

St John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco was sometimes called "Blessed John (or Blessed Ioann)" prior to his canonization in 1996. I have a book of his miracles and intercessions called "Blessed John the Wonderworker," which was published prior to 1996. Of course, many who knew him, including Fr. Seraphim Rose, knew that he was a saint prior to the official canonization.

Andreas · Post by **Andreas** » Sun 9 May 2004 12:00 am

Thanks. $/\$