Dear Baba

Do you have some insights on developing a relationship with the Saints?  In other words, do we just ask for their intercessions, or do we ask them personally for favors/miracles/etc.?  I've never had any difficulty with asking a Saint for their prayers, but asking them directly to do things seems like a pantheon. Put me in front of an icon of Saint Gregory and I bow before it, pray to him, prostrate, kiss -- now put me in front of the icon of Christ and I bow before it, pray to Him, prostrate, kiss -- there is obviously an enormous difference between veneration and worship theoretically, but outwardly it's not clear what that difference is. - Seeking Fellowship with the Saints

Dear Seeker of Fellowship with the Saints: I have heard it said before that the Orthodox develop very natural relationships with the saints to the point that saints from a millennia ago are just as familiar as a dear friend or neighbor. Come sit down and have a cup of tea or two and let’s see what we can come up with to explain all this better.

• Let me start with the outward things you mentioned in your question. If I may, I would like to use an analogy. It is on a miniscule scale compared to the Kingdom of Heaven but I hope it helps. Imagine you are heading in for an interview to a large corporation. You would probably meet several people holding various positions throughout the company before you met with the CEO. With each, regardless of rank, you would most likely greet them; shake hands, exchange pleasantries and so forth. When you met with the CEO, you would likewise offer a greeting, shake hands, exchange pleasantries. You would certainly not confuse any of the other people with the CEO but the greetings would be virtually the same. Worship in the Orthodox world has always been very demonstratively body and soul. So our version of the greeting/hand shake/pleasantries would be the reverencing icons, bowing, crossing, kissing and so forth.

• Following along with the analogy, if you knew someone at the company (an insider if you will), you would probably ask them to put in a good word for you. And they could tell you about what it’s like at that company to inspire you to really strive to get hired. They wouldn’t be able to hire you but their intercession on your behalf would help. The CEO would ultimately decide on whether you got the job offer or not.

• We directly see the relationship in the Wedding Feast at Cana. When they ran out of wine, they went to the Theotokos. She interceded with Christ on their behalf. Her admonition to the wine steward was to do what Christ said. That is a problem for most of us isn’t it? She interceded and Christ responded to the need but it required that they be faithful in their obedience to Him. We cannot use Christ, the Theotokos or the Saints as facilitators of our will. It is amazing how often this sits at the root of the challenges that keep us from growing closer to God and His will.

• What we share in common with the saints is our lives on earth. I like the Russian and Greek words for saint better than the English word. In both those languages, and probably others, the word used is illumined – filled with light (which is why icons don’t have shadows or an outside light source – the light is from within). The saints, the holy ones, journeyed through all of life’s challenges to God and allowed Him to fill them with His light. We also believe that Christ trampled down death by death. So their physical death no longer means separation from God. They stand in God’s presence and in all timelessness worship Him. We stand in time and worship Him. So we both in the church militant and the church triumphant worship the Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is to Him that all worship and praise belong.

• Here is a beautiful excerpt from Clark Carlton’s book called The Faith. “The Saints are those who have passed through this life in victorious faith and now behold the face of Christ. United with Him in love, they exist in a state of perfect accord with His holy will. Thus, we may be assured that when they pray for us who are on earth, their supplications are in complete harmony with the purposes of God. No longer capable of being deceived by the wiles of the devil, they form a mighty army, joining their will to the will of God and standing firm with us as we fight the good fight of faith. If God hears the prayers of ordinary Christians embroiled in the trials of life (and He certainly does), then how much more does He heed the intercessions of those who have pleased Him most, whom He has called to be with Himself in heaven.”

• Let’s take a look at Hebrews 12:1. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

• So returning to Carlton’s book, he continues “The Saints not only cheer us on as we run the race of life, they actively participate in our race as they intercede for us, winning greater strength for all who battle evil. Our All-holy Lady, the Theotokos, stands at the head of this chorus of Saints and remains for us on earth our steadfast Protectress and constant Advocate before the Creator.”

• Remember that the Divine Liturgy takes place in a holy place. A place where heaven and earth are joined together in worship. Icons of the Saints surround us helping us on earth understand that we are in their presence all worshipping the same Holy Trinity. So when we enter the church we greet them, the members of our heavenly ‘family’ if you will just like we greet our friends and family on earth.

• You know how there are certain people you turn to depending on the situation? If I have medical questions, there are certain people I’ll ask because of their knowledge and experience. Of course I will still go to my doctor. I may even ask one of these friends to come along. There are people I automatically think of and turn to when I really need someone to pray for me because I know they will. So it is with the Saints. Get to know their lives.

• It is perfectly OK to build a relationship with them (not their stories but them). Ask them to intercede for you, for friends and family. It is OK to be specific, to talk with them about the situation. Keep in mind that we are looking for God’s will in all things. That is what the Saints seek. And they will be able to help us know that God and this invisible cloud of witnesses will never abandon us regardless how dark and difficult our situation may be.

• Through the Saints we have intercessors and we have role models – real life role models. They can help us worship God and to grow closer to Him through every day of our lives. Perhaps one day we too will be counted among the Saints. Not because of us but because the temple of the Holy Spirit within us radiates God’s presence. That is not something we can do on our own. That is something that God works within us as a gift of grace when we allow God in on His terms. The Saints figured that out and they’ll be steadfastly with us as we struggle to figure it out too.

So come have another cup of tea while the kettle is still hot.

With hugs;

Baba