In the modern world, the notion of holiness appears before us in two dimensions: deeply personal spiritual growth and societal recognition rooted in tradition.

Dual Pathways to Holiness: Personal Transformation and Communal Affirm

In the modern world, the notion of holiness appears before us in two dimensions: deeply personal spiritual growth and societal recognition rooted in tradition. It all begins with an inner transformation—detaching from the vain world and striving to awaken not only moral virtue but something higher, directed toward the Divine Light. This process can be compared to ascending a staircase, where each step symbolizes a stage of purification, atonement, and drawing closer to God. Here, the spirit overcomes the limitations of everyday existence, gaining the strength to renounce the worldly for the sake of spiritual perfection.

On the other hand, in the Christian tradition, holiness has always possessed a social and ritual aspect. The community of believers, relying on centuries-old traditions and established rules, distinguishes those whose lives genuinely reflect the depth of Divine love and the light that offers hope to those around them. Who is considered holy is determined not only by personal struggles and inner victories but also confirmed through communal recognition and church canons. It is precisely this combination of inner work and external affirmation of spiritual status that transforms holiness into a bright beacon and example for all.

In conclusion, the true path to perfection requires a person to continuously move toward the Divine, to renounce worldly temptations, and to embody the highest spiritual values. This dynamic—both personal and social—offers everyone the opportunity to become a bright beacon leading toward the eternal ideal of love and grace.

What does the notion of holiness mean and what criteria determine who is considered holy?

The concept of holiness is multifaceted and includes both internal and external dimensions. On one hand, holiness signifies not merely moral virtue but something that goes beyond the ordinary world—a distinction and orientation toward God. For example, one source states:

"But the connection between these two concepts must be established with threads that are delicate and very flexible... The ladder representing the concept of holiness moves from non-being to the world, then through exclusion, election, purification, atonement, Light—and finally to God. This ladder, ascended from below upward, is conceived as the path of renunciation of the world, from the world to God" (source: link txt, page: 4).

From this passage, it is clear that holiness is understood as a process of spiritual growth, during which a person renounces the worldly and turns toward the Divine. In this journey, the focus is placed not so much on the catalysis of moral laws (as in Kant’s philosophy) but on deep transcendence and participation in the spiritual realm, where one finds light and redemption.

Conversely, the tradition of the Christian worldview also grants holiness a social-religious character. Initially, holiness meant "distinctiveness" or "separation"—something consecrated for ritual or cultic purposes, and later, through the Old Testament Revelation, came to be associated with the fullness of moral perfection reflective of God’s qualities. Here is an example from another source:

"There exist various types of realities that do not allow even the most 'external' observer to dismiss the problem. The authority to determine who is holy belongs to the Church, and it has quite specific rules regarding this matter... In order to be sure of the correct understanding of holiness and its personal embodiments, one must look at this problem from within..." (source: link txt).

Thus, the criteria for determining who is considered holy include several aspects. Primarily, there must be internal spiritual work—a renunciation of the worldly, a striving for purification, and participation in the Divine plan. Secondly, holiness presupposes recognition and sanctification by the church community, where it is the Church, relying on its longstanding tradition and established canonization rules, that affirms this status. Additionally, a holy person is one whose life reflects Divine love, active in specific and always contemporary situations, so that their spiritual presence becomes a light for the whole world.

Therefore, holiness signifies a state in which a person renounces the mundane and strives for complete union with God, participating in His boundless love and perfection, while the criteria for holiness include both internal spiritual growth and detachment from the world and external recognition by the Church, which confirms the status of the holy through established traditions and rules.

Supporting citation(s):

"But the connection between these two concepts must be established with threads that are delicate and very flexible... The ladder representing the concept of holiness moves from non-being to the world, then through exclusion, election, purification, atonement, Light—and finally to God. This ladder, ascended from below upward, is conceived as the path of renunciation of the world, from the world to God" (source: link txt, page: 4).

"There exist various types of realities that do not allow even the most 'external' observer to dismiss the problem. The authority to determine who is holy belongs to the Church, and it has quite specific rules regarding this matter... In order to be sure of the correct understanding of holiness and its personal embodiments, one must look at this problem from within..." (source: link txt).