1 . Definition and theological relevance. In general, hagiography is the story of the lives of the saints. In the stricter scientific sense it is the critical discussion of the hagiographical tradition, of the veneration and the history of the saints (see Saints I, II).

The Church sees itself presented in the work of the saints. “Hagiography is a major realm of the Church’s self-presentation in literature” (B. Kötting in LTK, IV, col. 1316). Christ is seen there as he who lives on and con…