Although all Christians share an admiration for the great characters of the Old Testament, there have been some historical differences of perspective on this subject, particularly between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics.

Both churches are rooted in the teachings of the Old Testament, as well as the witnesses of the prophets and patriarchs (and matriarchs). Often, typography — a form of Biblical interpretation that views the Old and New Testaments as one seamless work — was used as a way to tie together the Old and New Testaments. Instead of viewing Old Testament stories as standalone accounts, the earliest Christians saw these stories through the lens of Christ.

They believed that the Old Testament stories ultimately culminated in the central figure of the New Testament — Christ. Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac was seen as an image of God the Father offering his Jesus; Jonah in the belly of the whale was viewed as an image of Christ in the damp darkness of the tomb before he arose to the day again.

The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches have found different ways to integrate the witness of these holy ones into the lives of the faithful. The Eastern Orthodox have historically celebrated many feasts related to figures from the Old Testament. They have also used a term that is classically Christian to refer to these pre-Christian faithful ones — “saints.” The hymnography of the Eastern church often calls the forefathers and prophets saints, and icons of these figures from the Old Testament have been made and venerated. Although love for the Old Testament runs deep in the Orthodox church, the Orthodox do not regularly read from the Old Testament in their churches on Sunday.

Instead, Old Testament passages are often clustered together and read in succession on the great feasts, such as Theophany, when Christ's baptism is celebrated. On this day, when water is also blessed, multiple passages related to water in the Old Testament are read together. Likewise, on Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter (or Pascha) is celebrated, multiple passages from the Old Testament related to the themes of death and resurrection are read.

Within the Roman Catholic context, Old Testament figures have played a different role. Before Vatican II, only one Old Testament feast was kept according to the Roman Catholic church calendar. This was the feast of the Maccabees. Since Vatican II, it has been suggested that the church make more of the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets — devoting a feast day to them as has been done in the East for many centuries.