Saint vs. Angel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 22, 2024
Saints are humans recognized for their holiness and moral virtue, while angels are spiritual beings serving as messengers and agents of God.
Difference Between Saint and Angel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Saints are typically human beings who have lived lives of exceptional holiness and are venerated in various religious traditions, especially in Christianity. On the other hand, angels are considered purely spiritual beings without physical bodies, created by God in many religious traditions including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
Saints are often people who lived on earth and led lives that serve as examples of virtue and faithfulness to God's will. Whereas angels have never lived human lives but are seen as messengers and executors of God's will in heaven and on earth.
In Christianity, individuals become saints through a process called canonization, which often involves confirmation of miracles attributed to them. In contrast, angels are regarded as having been created by God as angels, with specific roles such as guardians or warriors.
Saints are frequently invoked in prayers and are believed to intercede with God on behalf of the faithful. Conversely, angels are often called upon to protect and guide individuals but are not typically the object of veneration or intercession.
The concept of a saint is primarily associated with their moral and spiritual impact on the world through their earthly lives. On the other hand, angels are associated with their ongoing roles in the celestial hierarchy and direct service to God.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Human
Spiritual being
Role
Moral exemplars, intercessors
Messengers, guardians
Origin
Earthly life
Created by God as angels
Worship and Veneration
Often venerated and prayed to
Not worshipped, but respected
Representation in Religion
Prominent in Christianity, less so in others
Common across multiple religions
Compare with Definitions
Saint
A person known for holiness and virtue.
Mother Teresa was canonized as a saint due to her charitable works.
Angel
A celestial being with a specific divine role.
Guardian angels are said to protect individuals.
Saint
A role model in faith and morality.
He is considered a saint in his community for his selfless actions.
Angel
A spiritual messenger of God.
The angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus.
Saint
Someone canonized by the church.
Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.
Angel
Featured in religious scriptures as a servant of God.
Angels are prominent figures in the Book of Revelation.
Saint
An individual regarded as being in heaven after gone.
According to her faith, she went straight to being a saint.
Angel
Symbolic of purity and divine guidance.
Angels are often depicted with halos in art.
Saint
In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term "saint" depends on the context and denomination.
Angel
An angel is a supernatural being in various religions. The theological study of angels is known as angelology.
Saint
Abbr. St. or S. A person officially recognized, especially by canonization, as being entitled to public veneration and capable of interceding for people on earth.
Angel
A person of exemplary conduct or virtue
Their parents think they are angels
I know I'm no angel
Saint
A person who has died and gone to heaven.
Angel
A person who supports a business financially, typically one who invests private capital in a small or newly established enterprise
The longer it takes you to get your product into the marketplace, the longer it will be until the angels get their money back
Saint
Saint A member of any of various Christian groups, especially a Latter-Day Saint.
Angel
An aircraft's altitude (often used with a numeral indicating thousands of feet)
We rendezvous at angels nine
Saint
A person who is venerated for holiness in a non-Christian religious tradition.
Angel
An unexplained radar echo.
Saint
An extremely virtuous person.
Angel
A typically benevolent celestial being that acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth, especially in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism.
Saint
To name, recognize, or venerate as a saint.
Angel
A representation of such a being, especially in Christianity, conventionally in the image of a human figure with a halo and wings.
Saint
To regard or venerate as extremely virtuous.
Angel
Angels(Christianity) The last of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology. From the highest to the lowest in rank, the orders are
Seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations or dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels.
Saint
A person whom a church or another religious group has officially recognised as especially holy or godly; one eminent for piety and virtue.
Kateri Tekakwitha was proclaimed a saint.
Angel
A guardian spirit or guiding influence.
Saint
A person with positive qualities; one who does good.
Dorothy Day was a living saint.
Thanks for looking after the house while I'm away. You're a saint!
Angel
A kind and lovable person.
Saint
One of the blessed in heaven.
Angel
One who manifests goodness, purity, and selflessness.
Saint
(archaic) A holy object.
Angel
A financial backer of an enterprise, especially a dramatic production or a political campaign.
Saint
(transitive) To canonize, to formally recognize someone as a saint.
Many wish to see Pope John Paul II sainted immediately.
Angel
An incorporeal and sometimes divine messenger from a deity, or other divine entity, often depicted in art as a youthful winged figure in flowing robes.
Saint
A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue; any true Christian, as being redeemed and consecrated to God.
Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.
Angel
(Abrahamic tradition) One of the lowest order of such beings, below virtues.
Saint
One of the blessed in heaven.
Then shall thy saints, unmixed, and from the impureFar separate, circling thy holy mount,Unfeigned hallelujahs to thee sing.
Angel
A person having the qualities attributed to angels, such as purity or selflessness.
Thanks for making me breakfast in bed, you little angel.
Saint
One canonized by the church.
Angel
(obsolete) Attendant spirit; genius; demon.
Saint
To make a saint of; to enroll among the saints by an offical act, as of the pope; to canonize; to give the title or reputation of a saint to (some one).
A large hospital, erected by a shoemaker who has been beatified, though never sainted.
Whether the charmer sinner it or saint it.
Angel
An official (a bishop, or sometimes a minister) who heads a Christian church, especially a Catholic Apostolic Church.
Saint
To act or live as a saint.
Angel
(historical) An English gold coin, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael, circulated between the 15th and 17th centuries, and varying in value from six shillings and eightpence to ten shillings.
Saint
A person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
Angel
An altitude, measured in thousands of feet.
Saint
Person of exceptional holiness
Angel
An unidentified flying object detected by air traffic control radar.
Saint
Model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
Angel
(finance) An angel investor.
Saint
Hold sacred
Angel
(theater) The person who funds a show.
Angel
(informal) A person who has Angelman syndrome.
Angel
To support by donating money.
Angel
A messenger.
The dear good angel of the Spring,The nightingale.
Angel
A spiritual, celestial being, superior to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God's messengers.
O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope,Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings.
Angel
One of a class of "fallen angels;" an evil spirit; as, the devil and his angels.
Angel
A minister or pastor of a church, as in the Seven Asiatic churches.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write.
Angel
Attendant spirit; genius; demon.
Angel
An appellation given to a person supposed to be of angelic goodness or loveliness; a darling.
When pain and anguish wring the brow,A ministering angel thou.
Angel
An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael. It varied in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s.
Angel
Spiritual being attendant upon God
Angel
Person of exceptional holiness
Angel
Invests in a theatrical production
Angel
The highest waterfall; has more than one leap; flow varies seasonally
Common Curiosities
Do saints perform miracles?
Saints themselves don't perform miracles; miracles are believed to be God's work attributed to the intercession of saints.
Can angels become saints?
No, angels and saints are distinct; saints are human, and angels are celestial beings.
What is the primary difference between a saint and an angel?
Saints are humans recognized for their holiness, while angels are spiritual beings created by God.
How do people become saints?
Individuals are declared saints by the church through a process called canonization, which includes verifying miracles.
What roles do angels play according to religious beliefs?
Angels act as messengers, guardians, and servants of God’s commands.
Are angels specific to one religion?
No, angels appear in multiple religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
Do all Christian denominations recognize the same saints?
No, recognition of saints varies among Christian denominations.
What is an example of a famous angel?
Archangel Michael, known as a protector and leader of the heavenly armies.
Can anyone pray to angels?
Yes, people can pray for angels' guidance and protection, though they are not worshipped.
What is an example of a famous saint?
Saint Peter, known as one of Jesus’ apostles and the first pope.
Why are angels depicted with wings?
Wings symbolize their role as messengers and their heavenly nature.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
