nounmasculinepl: os santos
the saint
1. a person who is recognized by the Christian church as having lived a holy life and performed miracles
Saint Francis is a beloved santo in the Catholic tradition.
São Francisco é um santo muito querido na tradição católica.
2. a representation or image of a saint, especially in religious art or devotional objects
She has a santo on her altar.
Ela tem um santo no seu altar.
3. in Afro-Brazilian religions, a deity or spiritual entity syncretized with Catholic saints
In Candomblé, each orixá corresponds to a santo.
No Candomblé, cada orixá corresponde a um santo.
In Brazil, 'o santo' carries dual significance: it refers to Catholic saints in traditional religious contexts, but also represents the spiritual entities (orixás) in Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé and Umbanda, where African deities were syncretized with Catholic saints during slavery. This religious syncretism is a unique aspect of Brazilian culture. Many Brazilians maintain personal devotions to specific santos, with each person often having a patron saint ('santo padroeiro').
Related Idioms & Phrases
ser um santo - to be a saint (to be very virtuous or patient)
não há santo que aguente - there's no saint patient enough (expressing exasperation)
santo de casa não faz milagre - a prophet is not recognized in his own land
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