Hagiography

Hagiography is a literary genre that consists of biographies or narratives that depict the lives and deeds of saints or other religious figures. The term “hagiography” comes from the Greek word “hagios,” which means “holy” or “sacred,” and “graphein,” which means “to write.” Hagiographies typically describe the miraculous or supernatural events associated with the lives of the saints, as well as their spiritual teachings and contributions to society. They often present an idealized and sometimes exaggerated account of the saint’s life, with a focus on their piety, humility, and devotion to God. Hagiographies have been an important part of religious literature throughout history, and have been used to inspire faith and devotion among believers, as well as to provide examples of virtuous living. Some well-known examples of hagiographies include “The Life of Saint Anthony” by Athanasius of Alexandria, “The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi” by Thomas of Celano, and “The Golden Legend” by Jacobus de Voragine.