Intercession of Saints in Early Christian Writings
Early Christians clearly taught prayer for one another and honored the saints as alive with God. Ignatius, Polycarp, Hermas, Origen, and later liturgies all speak in ways that fit Christian intercession. The clearest Bible texts here are Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8:3-4, Romans 8:26-27, and Hebrews 7:25. Direct evidence for saints in heaven hearing and answering prayers is thinner and more indirect than the evidence for prayer among living Christians and Christ’s own intercession.
156 early-church witnesses · 248 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about the intercession of saints?
Early Christian writings do support asking saints for prayers and speaking of the saints as alive with God, but they do not give a single, clear, universal teaching that the dead saints themselves are always direct hearers of petitions. Strong early witnesses like Ignatius, Polycarp, Hermas, Origen, and the Apostolic Constitutions clearly urge Christians to pray for one another and speak warmly of the saints’ prayers before God.
The Bible passages most often tied to this topic focus on God receiving the prayers of the saints and Christ’s own intercession, especially Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8:3-4, Romans 8:26-27, and Hebrews 7:25. The overall picture is broad for Christian intercession in general, but thinner and more indirect for explicit saintly intercession as later taught in many traditions.
Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians did pray for one another and asked for prayers from other believers.
- The clearest texts say Christ and the Holy Spirit intercede, and that the prayers of saints rise before God.
- Some early writers and liturgies honor the saints and martyrs in prayer, but the exact later doctrine is not stated plainly in every source.
Questions Answered by the Sources
What Bible passages do Christians use for intercession of saints?
The strongest biblical texts in this dossier describe Christ and the Spirit interceding, and Revelation depicts the prayers of the saints presented before God. These are the clearest Bible passages in the supplied set for any discussion of intercession.
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Revelation 5:8 Direct teaching
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
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Revelation 8:4 Direct teaching
And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.
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Romans 8:27 Direct teaching
Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness
... the dead, but of the living." That is the same as saying that He is not the God of sinners, but of saints. For it was a great gift to the Patriarchs that God, instead of using His own name alone, added their name to His own title as God, as Paul says in Hebrews 11:16, "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God." He is the God, therefore, of the fathers and of all the saints. It would be hard to find a passage saying that God is the God of any of the wicked. If, then, He is the God of the saints, and is called the God of the living, then the saints are the living, and the living are saints. There is no saint outside the living. Nor, when anyone is called living, is the further meaning absent that, besides having life, he is also holy. Very close to this is the lesson drawn from the saying, "I shall be well pleasing to the Lord in the land of the living." He seems to say that the Lord's good pleasure is among the ranks of the saints, or in the place of the saints, and that he hopes to be there. No one pleases God well who has not entered the rank of the saints, or the place of the saints. And everyone must come to that place who has already taken on beforehand, as it we
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Irenaeus, Connection to Revelation 5:8 Supporting witness
as John also declares in the Apocalypse: "The incense is the prayers of the saints."
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Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness
And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having harps and golden vials full of incense, which is the prayers of the saints.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness
Since, therefore, the name of the Son belongs to the Father, and since in the omnipotent God the Church makes offerings through Jesus Christ, He says well on both these grounds, “And in every place incense is offered to My name, and a pure sacrifice.” Now John, in the Apocalypse, declares that the “incense” is “the prayers of the saints.”
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
Therefore it is said by John in the Revelation, The odours are the prayers of saints;
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
and though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him.
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Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Background
The prayers they offer up for us, and we for them, do You, O Lord, receive at Your holy, heavenly, and reasonable altar.
Did early Christians ask other believers to pray for them?
Several early Christian writers plainly ask for prayers from other believers and expect those prayers to help. This is the clearest early Christian pattern in the supplied sources.
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Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians Direct teaching
...ence, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.” Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, and rulers, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that you may be perfect in Him.
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Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians Direct teaching
and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.” Pray for all the saints.
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Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version) Direct teaching
Your prayers have reached the Church of Antioch, and it is at peace. Coming from that place bound, I greet all; I, who am not worthy to be named from there, as I am the least of them. Nevertheless, according to the will of God, I have been considered worthy of this honor, not because I feel I deserve it, but by the grace of God, which I wish may be fully given to me, so that through your prayers I may reach God. Therefore, to complete your work on earth and in heaven, it is fitting that, for the honor of God, your Church should choose some worthy delegate; so that he, traveling to Syria, may congratulate them that they are now at peace and have been restored to their proper greatness, and that their proper order has been re-established among them. What seems proper to me is that you should send one of your members with a letter, so that, together with them, he may rejoice over the peace which, according to the will of God, they have obtained, and because, through your prayers, I have secured Christ as a safe harbor. As people who are perfect, you should also aim for those things which are perfect. For when you are eager to do well, God is also ready to help you.
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Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Short Version) Direct teaching
...have deserved it, but by the grace of God, which I wish may be fully given to me, that through your prayers I may reach God. Therefore, so that your work may be complete both on earth and in heaven, it is fitting that, for the honor of God, your Church should choose some worthy delegate; so that he, traveling to Syria, may congratulate them that they are now at peace, restored to their proper greatness, and that their proper constitution has been re-established among them. It seems to me fitting, then, that you should send someone from among you with a letter, so that, in company with them, he may rejoice over the tranquility which, according to the will of God, they have obtained, and because, through your prayers, they have now reached the harbor. As people who are perfect, you should also aim at those things which are perfect. For when you are eager to do well, God is also ready to assist you.
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Ignatius, Epistle to Polycarp (Short Version) Direct teaching
Seeing that the Church in Antioch, Syria, is at peace, as I have been informed, thanks to your prayers, I am encouraged and at ease in God. If through suffering I may reach God, then through your prayers I may be found a true disciple of Christ. It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to gather a very solemn council and choose someone you truly love and know to be active, to become God's messenger; and to give him the honor of going to Syria to glorify your constant love to the praise of Christ. A Christian does not have control over themselves but must always be ready to serve God. This work is both God’s and yours once you complete it for His glory. For I trust that, through grace, you are prepared for every good work related to God. Knowing your energetic love of the truth, I have urged you through this brief letter.
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Ignatius, Epistle to Polycarp (Long Version) Direct teaching
Since I have heard that the Church in Antioch, Syria, is at peace because of your prayers, I am more encouraged and can rest without anxiety in God, hoping that through suffering I may attain to God, and, with your prayers, be found a disciple of Christ. It is appropriate, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to gather a very serious council and choose someone you greatly love and know to be active, who can be appointed as the messenger of God, and grant him the honor of going to Syria, so that by going there, he may glorify your ever-active love to the praise of God. A Christian does not have control over themselves but must always be ready for God's service. Now, this work is both God's and yours when you complete it. For I trust that, through grace, you are prepared for every good work related to God. Knowing your energetic love of the truth, I have encouraged you with this brief letter.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
Before all things, the Teacher of peace and the Master of unity did not want prayer to be made separately and individually, as if each person should pray only for himself. For we do not say, "My Father, who art in heaven," or, "Give me today my daily bread." Nor does each person ask that only his own debt should be forgiven. Nor does he ask for himself alone that he may not be led into temptation and delivered from evil. Our prayer is public and shared. And when we pray, we do not pray for one person, but for the whole people, because we, the whole people, are one. The God of peace and the Teacher of harmony, who taught unity, willed that each one should pray in this way for all, just as He Himself bore us all in one. The three children kept this rule of prayer when they were shut up in the fiery furnace. They prayed together and were of one heart in the agreement of the spirit. Sacred Scripture assures us of this. And by telling us how such people prayed, it gives an example that we ought to follow in our prayers, so that we may be as they were: "Then these three," it says, "as if from one mouth sang a hymn and blessed the Lord." They spoke as if from one mouth, although Christ ha
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
5. Let us pray urgently and groan with constant petitions. For know, beloved brothers, that not long ago I was reproached for this also in a vision: we were sleepy in our prayers and were not praying watchfully. And without doubt God, who rebukes those He loves, Hebrews 12:6, when He rebukes, rebukes so that He may correct; He corrects so that He may preserve. Therefore let us throw off and break away from the chains of sleep, and pray urgently and watchfully, as the Apostle Paul tells us, saying, "Continue in prayer, and watch in it." Colossians 4:2 For the apostles also did not stop praying day and night. And the Lord Himself also, the teacher of our discipline and the pattern of our example, often prayed watchfully, as we read in the Gospel: "He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12 And certainly what He prayed for, He prayed for on our behalf, since He was not a sinner, but bore the sins of others. But He prayed for us in such a way that in another place we read, "And the Lord said to Peter, Behold, Satan has desired to sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not." Luke 22:31-32 But if for us and for ou
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Hebrews 13:18 Supporting witness
Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
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2 Thessalonians 3:1 Supporting witness
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,
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2 Corinthians 1:11 Supporting witness
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
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Romans 15:30 Supporting witness
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
More related quotations from this section 1 shown
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1 Thessalonians 5:25 Supporting witness
Brothers, pray for us.
Did early Christians pray with the saints and martyrs?
Yes, especially in later third-century liturgical texts and devotional language. The Apostolic Constitutions and early liturgies speak of praying with or remembering the saints, martyrs, prophets, apostles, and just spirits made perfect.
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Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Background
and the deacons who surround Your holy altar, and graciously give them a blameless life, keep their ministry undefiled, and purchase for them a good degree, that we may find mercy and grace, with all the saints that have been well pleasing to You since the world began, to generation and generation — grandsires, sires, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors, teachers, saints, and every just spirit made perfect in the faith of Your Christ.
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Early Liturgies, Liturgy of Adaeus and Maris Direct teaching
...t from my weak and sinful hands this sacrifice which my weakness offers on this altar, through your intercession for me, O holy mother.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Let us continue to pray to God through His Christ. Let us ask Him, concerning the gift that is offered to the Lord God, that the good God will accept it through the mediation of His Christ on His heavenly altar, as a sweet-smelling fragrance. Let us pray for this church and people. Let us pray for every bishopric, every presbytery, all the deacons and ministers in Christ, and for the whole congregation, that the Lord will keep and preserve them all. Let us pray for kings and those in authority, that they may be peaceable toward us, so that we may have and live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, 1 Timothy 2:2. Let us remember the holy martyrs, that we may be considered worthy to share in their trial. Let us pray for those who have departed in the faith. Let us pray for the good tempering of the air and the full ripening of the fruits. Let us pray for those who are newly enlightened, that they may be strengthened in the faith, and that all may be comforted by one another. Raise us up, O God, by Your grace. Let us stand up and dedicate ourselves to God through His Christ. And let the bishop say: O God, who are great, and whose name is great, who are great in coun
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Offer your prayers in the morning, at the third hour, the sixth, the ninth, in the evening, and at cockcrow. In the morning, give thanks that the Lord has sent you light, that He has brought you through the night and brought in the day. At the third hour, pray because at that hour the Lord received the sentence of condemnation from Pilate. At the sixth hour, pray because at that hour He was crucified. At the ninth hour, pray because everything was shaken at the crucifixion of the Lord, as if trembling at the bold act of the impious Jews and not enduring the injury done to their Lord. In the evening, give thanks that He has given you the night for rest from the labors of the day. At cockcrow, pray because that hour brings the good news that the day is coming, for the works proper to the light. But if it is not possible to go to the church because of unbelievers, then you, O bishop, shall gather them in a house, so that a godly man may not enter an assembly of the ungodly. For it is not the place that sanctifies the man, but the man the place. And if the ungodly possess the place, avoid it, because it is profaned by them. For just as holy priests sanctify a place, so profane people d
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
...it in your letters. Count it as certain that our church and the whole brotherhood here beg by their prayers that these things may not happen again. But if they do happen, they will willingly and generously give help. But so that you may keep in mind in your prayers our brethren and sisters who have labored so promptly and generously for this necessary work, that they may always labor, and that in return for their good work you may present them in your sacrifices and prayers, I have added the names of each one. Moreover, I have also added the names of my colleagues and fellow priests, who themselves also, since they were present, contributed a little according to their ability, in their own names and in the name of their people. And besides our own amount, I have made known and sent their small sums. In keeping with the claims of faith and charity, you ought to remember all of them in your supplications and prayers. We bid you, dearest brothers, ever heartily farewell, and remember us.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
But it is also fitting for him to make all his prayers gently with the good. For it is a dangerous thing to take part in other people's sins. So the Gnostic will pray along with those who have believed more recently, in those matters where it is their duty to act together. And his whole life is a holy festival. His sacrifices are prayers, praises, and readings from the Scriptures before meals; and psalms and hymns during meals and before bed; and prayers again also during the night. By these things he joins himself to the divine choir, through continual recollection, being engaged in contemplation that has everlasting remembrance.
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Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness
Our meetings to be cruelly broken up, in which prayer is made to the Supreme God, peace and pardon are asked for all in authority, for soldiers, kings, friends, enemies, for those still in life, and those freed from the bondage of the flesh;
Common Questions
Did early Christians ask saints for prayers?
They clearly asked living Christians for prayers, and some early liturgical texts honor saints and martyrs in prayer. The evidence for directly asking departed saints is less explicit and more indirect.
What Bible verses are used most for saintly intercession?
Revelation 5:8, Revelation 8:3-4, Romans 8:26-27, and Hebrews 7:25 are the main passages linked to intercession.
Did the early Church believe saints were alive with God?
Yes. Writers like Origen and Hermas speak of the saints as the living and as belonging to God, not as destroyed by death.
Source Index for the intercession of saints
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 248 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 156
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
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Irenaeus, Connection to Revelation 5:8
Bible Passages 80 shown of 92
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.