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All Saints’ Day is also called Feast of All Saints, Hallowmas, or All Hallows’ Day in the Christian Church. It is a day that commemorates both known and unknown saints who have acquired heaven. The Eastern Churches celebrate the day on the first Sunday after Pentecost. On the other hand, the Western Church observes the day on November 1 every year.
Background of All Saints’ Day
There was a time when many Roman Emperors persecuted Christians, thus leading to the death of several martyrs. It was also an era when the Church kept aside several days for honoring these martyrs. Pope Boniface IV formally started the celebration of All Saints’ Day in the seventh century in honor of all the saints at the same time.
Initially, Christians celebrated the day on May 13. However, Pope Gregory III moved the tradition of celebrating All Saints’ Day on November 1 every year when he was in office from 731 to 741 AD. He allocated a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica in memory of all the saints.
