The "Sale of Saints" refers most likely to the biblical "collection for the saints" mentioned in the New Testament. This was a fundraising effort organized by the Apostle Paul to support impoverished Christian believers (called "saints") in Jerusalem facing hardship from famine and persecution.

Biblical Context

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul instructs churches like those in Corinth and Galatia: "Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up." Contributions were gathered systematically and transported to Jerusalem, highlighting early Christian unity across regions like Macedonia and Achaia.

  • Purpose : Aid poor saints in Jerusalem, transcending local church boundaries (e.g., Acts 11:29-30 shows similar relief from Antioch).
  • Method : Weekly savings based on prosperity, avoiding last-minute collections during Paul's visits.
  • Delivery : Paul planned to send trusted delegates, possibly accompanying them himself.

This "sale" (an old term for collection or gathering) took place primarily in churches across Galatia, Corinth, Macedonia, Achaia, and other Gentile regions, with funds delivered to Jerusalem. No single physical marketplace; it was a decentralized, weekly church-based effort around AD 55-57.

Possible Misinterpretations

If referring to modern events:

  • All Saints' Day sales : Fashion brand AllSaints holds discounts (e.g., Black Friday), online/in-stores globally—no specific "saints sale" venue.
  • Literary : The War of the Saints novel unfolds in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, involving a saint statue "walking off"—pure fiction.
  • Sports : Northampton Saints rugby matches vs. Sale Sharks occur at Franklin's Gardens stadium, but unrelated to "sale of saints."

"Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia." – 1 Corinthians 16:1

TL;DR : The "sale of saints" is the biblical collection for Jerusalem's poor Christians, organized in Galatian/Corinthian churches and delivered to Jerusalem.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.