Making Martyrs East and West

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For centuries, Catholics in the West and Orthodox Christians in Russia have revered certain saints as martyrs, often recognizing the same individuals who sacrificed their lives for Jesus Christ. While the external liturgical practices may differ, the underlying theological understanding of martyrdom and canonization appears similar. However, Caridi's examination in Making Martyrs East and West questions this assumption. She investigates the development of canonization practices in both traditions, focusing on the procedural elements necessary for recognizing someone as a saint and martyr. Caridi explores whether the Catholic Church's canonization process aligns with that of the Russian Orthodox Church, and whether their shared terminology masks fundamentally different interpretations that hinder mutual recognition of saints. By analyzing official church documents and previously untapped medieval Russian sources, her study offers a fresh perspective on the historical documentation of canonization with juridical significance. This accessible work is the first of its kind and will attract scholars of religion and church history, ecumenicists, liturgists, canonists, and those interested in East-West ecumenical dialogue.