Question

[knee-v]

Does anyone know the first documented occurrence of prayer to saints, or else the first documented reference to it being done?

[cobweb]

Does anyone know the first documented occurrence of prayer to saints, or else the first documented reference to it being done?
I know that there are graffiti inscriptions in the catacomb under the St. Peter's Basilica (I think that's the one) that ask Sts. Peter and Paul intercession. If I remember correctly I think I read that these "red wall incriptions" date to around 160 AD.

[repentant]

Here are some inscriptions that were found in catacombs. They were written around the 2nd century.

"Pray for thy parents, Matronata Matrona. She lived one year and 51 days."

"Januaria, take thy good refreshment, and make request for us."

"Atticus: sleep inpeace, secure in thy safety, and pray anxiously for our sins;"

"Martyrs, holy, good, blessed, help Quiracus."

"Peter and Paul, help Primitivus, a sinner."

"Paul and Peter, have us in mind in your prayers, and more than us."

"Paul and Peter, pray for Victor."

[choirfiend]

Can you please post a source for those who may wish to have confirmation?
Thanks!

[repentant]

Oops forgot...

http://www.forthelife.org/prayertosaints.htm

[cobweb]

Here's some of the stuff I sent my parents when they asked. I don't have any of my web-links on this computer, but I do have the photos.

Enjoy! :D


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/cobweb2/PrayerstoPeterandPaul.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/cobweb2/prayers2.jpg

And for good measure, a an epitaph requesting prayers for the dead:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/cobweb2/catacomb_intercession2.jpg

[knee-v]

Does anyone know of the earliest writings (sermons, epistles, etc) that make reference to this practice?

[Xpycoctomos]

"Brothers, pray for us."
-1 Thessalonians 5:25

Probably not exactly what you are asking for... but I think it is very relatable. When we stop asking our brothers and sisters for their prayers becuase they have passed form this life... we unintentionally give too much credit to Satan and the power of death and underestimate the Power of God.

Did not Christ defeat death? But yest somehow we refuse to recognise that our brothers who have gone before us no longer where those shackles? This isn't hubris... this is surrendering to despair.

Xpictoc anecti!!!!

John

[Knowledge3]

Genesis 1:1

[Xpycoctomos]

Genesis 1:1
can you expand on that one and how it relates? You got my attention :)

[Knowledge3]

can you expand on that one and how it relates? You got my attention :)

John 1:1

The context, in this case, is not the date of the Epistle but in a specific sub-context that the Father came from nowhere.

[knee-v]

I am not asking for myself, but for a friend who refuses to accept anything other than that which is written in Scripture, who sees anything else as "an assumption". I brought her to a few passages (...hold fast to the traditions...the pillar and ground of truth...and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it...who will lead you into all truth...etc), but she would need absolute proof that this was the practice in the apostolic days by the apostles themselves.

[Knowledge3]

I am not asking for myself, but for a friend who refuses to accept anything other than that which is written in Scripture, who sees anything else as "an assumption". I brought her to a few passages (...hold fast to the traditions...the pillar and ground of truth...and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it...who will lead you into all truth...etc), but she would need absolute proof that this was the practice in the apostolic days by the apostles themselves.

Be apostle for Jesus and preach the word.

[Xpycoctomos]

John 1:1

The context, in this case, is not the date of the Epistle but in a specific sub-context that the Father came from nowhere.
how does that relate to the subject of praying to the Saints? Cmon man, connect the dots. This is a thread, not a riddle.