Do We Pray to Saints?

Right Reverend Fr. Barouyr Shernezian

As members of the Armenian Orthodox Church, we often encounter people who are concerned about our veneration of saints. While I respect all theological perspectives, some may not understand that this practice aligns with biblical truths.

We pray only to God, addressing our prayers to the Holy Trinity. We do not direct any prayers to saints. Instead, we ask for God’s acceptance of our prayers through the intercession of the saints. In other words, we ask God to consider the prayers of the saints as He hears our supplications. Here is an example from the Armenian Divine Liturgy, prayed at the beginning of the liturgy by the celebrant priest:

“Lord, receive our supplications through the intercession of the holy Mother of God, the immaculate bearer of your only-begotten Son, and by the supplications of all your saints. Hear us, Lord, and have mercy on us; forgive, expiate, and remit our sins; make us worthy to give you thanks and to glorify you together with the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”

As one can see, the prayer is addressed to God, and all glory is given to the Holy Trinity. The Mother of God and all the saints are remembered in these prayers as intercessors. What does it mean to intercede? The Armenian word for intercession is Parékhosél (Բարեխօսել), which literally means “to speak well of others.” In the Armenian Orthodox Church, we believe that saints continue to pray and praise God on behalf of those on earth, who continue their spiritual battle as the “Militant Church.”

There are multiple examples in the Holy Bible where intercession makes a difference in God’s decisions. For instance, Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding of Cana through the intercession of His Mother, Mary. Abraham interceded for Sodom, so God spared the righteous people (Gen. 18:23-24). Moses interceded for his people, Israel when they turned away from God by worshiping a golden calf.

Jesus is indeed the only Mediator between humanity and God, but this does not mean that saints cannot pray for us. If we believe in the Holy Resurrection, then we believe that those who depart this earth in God’s grace continue to pray for us. Under the arms of the Lord and the shadow of the holy cross, all people—whether on earth or in heaven—are united. Prayers and the praise of God’s glory unite us all. This is why we ask God to accept our prayers, both from those on earth and those in heaven.

In this same context, we must ask another important question: Why do we celebrate the feast days of saints? Celebrating a feast day means appreciating a valuable reality in our lives. For instance, we celebrate birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day to honor the people who play important roles in our lives. Similarly, we celebrate the feast days of saints to remember their lives, appreciate their contributions to the Church, and learn from them. If we have no problem celebrating Mother’s Day and honoring our mother’s sacrifices for us, then there should be no issue with celebrating the feast day of the Mother of God, Mary, who gave birth to our Savior.

It is inspiring to remember and celebrate the saints who lived virtuous lives in Christ and taught us how to follow God’s will. I believe this neither diminishes God’s glory nor lessens His role in our lives. Ultimately, we are all one as the Church, whether on earth or in heaven, and prayer is the force that unites us in heart and spirit.

The saints and their lives beautify the Church. They strengthened its roots so it could grow and bear fruit. They paved the way for us to draw closer to God. Celebrating their lives and seeking their prayers helps us feel part of a greater Church—one that exists not only on earth but also in heaven. This is how we come to understand the Lord’s Prayer, which says: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” Amen.