communion of saints: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Ecclesiastical, Theological
Quick answer
What does “communion of saints” mean?
A Christian theological doctrine that all believers, living and dead, are united spiritually in a single body under Christ.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Christian theological doctrine that all believers, living and dead, are united spiritually in a single body under Christ.
The spiritual bond and fellowship shared among all members of the Christian Church, including those who are alive, those who have died, and those in heaven; it can also refer metaphorically to a deep, shared spiritual connection or understanding among any group of people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The phrase is identical in both varieties. Usage is equally infrequent in both, confined to religious contexts.
Connotations
Strongly associated with Catholic and high-church Anglican/Episcopal theology. May sound archaic or highly specialized outside of those contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora; slightly higher frequency in theological texts. No measurable regional variation in usage frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “communion of saints” in a Sentence
[Verb] + communion of saints: *believe in* the communion of saintsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “communion of saints” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The creed states that we *believe in* the communion of saints.
- They *affirm* the ancient doctrine of the communion of saints.
American English
- The pastor *preached on* the communion of saints.
- We *profess* our faith in the communion of saints.
adverb
British English
- The believers are *spiritually* united in the communion of saints.
- They are *mystically* connected.
American English
- The church *doctrinally* teaches the communion of saints.
- They are *truly* part of one body.
adjective
British English
- The *mystical* communion of saints is a core Catholic belief.
- He wrote a paper on its *theological* implications.
American English
- Their *shared* faith created a sort of communion of saints. (metaphorical)
- The *ancient* doctrine was reaffirmed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, and church history papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
A precise doctrinal term in systematic theology and ecclesiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “communion of saints”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “communion of saints”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “communion of saints”
- Using 'communion of saints' to refer only to receiving Holy Communion. Adding an article incorrectly (e.g., 'a communion of saints'). Using it as a plural ('communions of saints').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are related but distinct concepts. Holy Communion (the Eucharist) is a sacrament. The 'communion of saints' is the doctrine describing the spiritual unity of all believers.
It is possible but highly literary and metaphorical. For example, 'The veterans shared a communion of saints forged in battle.' In everyday language, simpler terms like 'deep bond' are preferred.
No, it is a doctrine found in many Christian traditions, including Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and some Protestant churches, though interpretations vary.
Use it as a fixed noun phrase, typically after a preposition like 'in' or 'of' (e.g., 'belief in the communion of saints,' 'the doctrine of the communion of saints').
A Christian theological doctrine that all believers, living and dead, are united spiritually in a single body under Christ.
Communion of saints is usually formal, ecclesiastical, theological in register.
Communion of saints: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːniən əv seɪnts/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmjunjən əv seɪnts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; the term itself is idiomatic.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'communion' as 'common union' – a union shared in common by all saints, past and present.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CHURCH IS A BODY (with living and deceased members). SPIRITUAL CONNECTION IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'communion of saints' MOST appropriately used?