What does venerate mean? If it equals worship, then it is for God only. If it means an act of giving honor, then, no. We may give honor to, venerate, others than God. It is often the act of giving honor to a religious figure, saint for example, that some think is "worship" when it is not. It's not binary: worship/no honor. How much can we honor someone without it being worship? Or..
What would you say is the difference between an idol and an icon? IOW, what makes an idol an idol?
Well, since the question seems to set up a differentiation of definitions, let me ask you: what is YOUR definition of veneration? Does it involve bowing the knee before a statue or icon? Why? One poster has already proven that Roman Catholics pray to Mary; why pay any veneration (or in my view, worship) to any saint?? Who made those people saints? God? No — a group of humans elevated other humans to positions where they have no authority. Scripture states plainly that all who are saved—past, present, and future—are “The Saints.”. God and God alone confers that honorific through his election of and grace to those he calls saves through the blood of his son Jesus! Is not our duty to worship God?
Then, if so, why venerate anyone long gone from this earth? Why not do our duty and worship, venerate, and honor the one, true living God —the only one worthy of worship — instead?
We have access to the Creator of the Universe; if you take time to venerate/worship or pray to anyone/qnything else, you’re replacing God by misusing that time. That is idolatry.
Hoss