The claim that many hagiographies are merely inventions of priests can be interpreted as follows: the authors of these texts often did not aim to document historically verified facts but rather to create works capable of reinforcing faith and conveying spiritual and moral ideas.

Reexamining the Reliability of Hagiographical Narratives

The claim that many hagiographies are merely inventions of priests can be interpreted as follows: the authors of these texts often did not aim to document historically verified facts but rather to create works capable of reinforcing faith and conveying spiritual and moral ideas. Thus, the recounting of saints' lives sometimes incorporates elements borrowed from popular folklore or enhanced through creative imagination, which allows for the inclusion of apocryphal details in these works.

For example, document " link txt" (page: 5967) notes:
"However, not everything that has taken root in popular piety should be considered compatible with Christianity. For even in the church narratives about famous and celebrated ascetics, there are apocryphal-folkloric details..."
This quote indicates that even accepted church traditions may contain elements not substantiated by historical sources; in other words, a portion of hagiographies may result from creative interpretation or even invention.

Additionally, document " link txt" (page: 8932) states:
"In recent times, there will appear a danger of deception, for teachings are preached in the name of the Apostles and the Holy Church, as if they were 'ancient Greek' doctrines. Schismatics falsely cloak themselves under this title. They all claim that their interpretations are 'ancient Greek' traditions.

What ancient Greek?

It is all new inventions."
Here, it is underlined that some accounts presented as ancient traditions are, in fact, modern fabrications devised to lend them authority. This reinforces the idea that many saints' lives may not be the result of rigorous historical research but rather literary constructions created with specific doctrinal or propagandistic objectives.

Thus, the assertion can be understood as a critique of the methods used in composing hagiographies, where priests or preachers, by incorporating elements of popular creativity, lend authority to the narratives even though they contain fabricated or legendary details. This calls for a careful and critical approach by readers to distinguish between historically confirmed facts and elements inserted to support a spiritual message.