Saints in Methodism

Christianity • Protestantism Methodism has historically followed the Protestant tradition of referring to sanctified members of the universal church as saints.

[1] The title Saint in Methodist churches is commonly bestowed to those who had direct relations with Jesus Christ, or who are mentioned in the Bible.

[4]Accordingly, Methodism formally rejects relics and prayer to saints, considering them to be distractions from the Christ-focused life and unfounded in Scripture.

Methodists observe All Saints' Day, following the liturgical calendar, in which the Church Universal, as well as the deceased members of a local congregation, are honored and remembered.

The General Conferences of the United Methodist Church voted to officially recognize Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 2008 and Martin Luther King Jr. in 2012 as modern-day 'martyrs'.