canonization

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

canonization
    n 1: (Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church) the act of
         admitting a deceased person into the canon of saints [syn:
         {canonization}, {canonisation}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Canonization \Can`on*i*za"tion\, n. [F. canonisation.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. (R. C. Ch.) The final process or decree (following
      beatifacation) by which the name of a deceased person is
      placed in the catalogue (canon) of saints and commended to
      perpetual veneration and invocation.
      [1913 Webster]

            Canonization of saints was not known to the
            Christian church titl toward the middle of the tenth
            century.                              --Hoock.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The state of being canonized or sainted.
      [1913 Webster]