[annalex]

To state that someone is blessed is hardly venerating him or her

True. Veneration takes these forms:

• Veneration of Holy Relics (Acts 19:12, and The Martyrdom of Polycarp as the earlier evidence of the practice)
• Intercessory prayer (Romans 15:30, 2 Corinthians 13:7-9, Acts 8:24, John 2:1-11, 1 Timothy 2:1-6, James 5:16, Matthew 18:20)
• Honoring (Luke 11:27-28, here discussed)
• Recognition of superior faculty of a saint in heaven (John 10:10, Matthew 22:30, 1 Corinthians 6:3, 1 Corinthians 13:12)

[johngrace]

This is amazing his martyrdom account. What a Christian.