All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are Christian celebrations that reflect the strong spiritual connection between those in heaven, the living, and the souls of the departed.
According to Catholic beliefs, like us, this day honors everyone who has reached Heaven.
For Methodists, it is a time to give thanks to God for the lives and deaths of all saints, whether well-known or not. This includes figures like Paul the Apostle and Augustine of Hippo, with different traditions recognizing various saints based on their own histories. In some practices, the day also recognizes those who have influenced personal faith, such as relatives or friends.
Western Christianity
All Saints’ Day is observed on November 1, followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2. It is a significant day in the Catholic Church, known as a Solemnity, while Lutheran Churches celebrate it as a Festival, and it is a Principal Feast within the Anglican Communion. It is an even more special day for me for when my mom passed.
The history of this holiday dates back to the 4th century, when some regions began to celebrate a day for all Christian martyrs. This observance was held on May 13 in Edessa, the Sunday after Pentecost in Antioch, and the Friday after Easter among the Syrians. By the 5th century, St. Maximus of Turin preached each year on the Sunday after Pentecost to honor all martyrs in what is now northern Italy. The Comes of Würzburg, an early church reading list from the late 6th or early 7th century in present-day Germany, referred to this day as the Sunday of the Nativity of the Saints. Over time, the observance expanded to include all saints, whether they were martyrs or not.
On May 13, 609 or 610, Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs, establishing an anniversary that has been celebrated in Rome ever since. This date may have been chosen because it coincided with the Roman pagan festival of Lemuria, which aimed to appease the restless spirits of the dead. Some researchers believe that the similar themes and dates of Lemuria and All Saints’ Day suggest a connection.
Pope Gregory III, who served from 731 to 741, dedicated an oratory in Old St. Peter’s Basilica to the relics of the apostles and all saints, martyrs, and just souls at rest around the world. Some historical sources say Gregory III dedicated this oratory on November 1, which is why it became known as All Saints’ Day. Other accounts indicate he convened a synod condemning iconoclasm on that date in 731, but dedicated the oratory on Palm Sunday in 732.
By the year 800, churches in Ireland and Northumbria were already celebrating a feast for all saints on November 1. Manuscripts from this period commemorate all saints on that date. Alcuin of Northumbria recommended the November 1 feast to his friend Arno of Salzburg and used his influence with Charlemagne to introduce this celebration to the Frankish Kingdom.
Some scholars suggest that churches in the British Isles began observing All Saints’ Day on November 1 in the 8th century to align with or replace the Celtic festival known as Samhain. James Frazer supports this view, claiming that November 1 was chosen due to its connection with the Celtic festival of the dead. In contrast, Ronald Hutton argues that the earliest records indicate Samhain was a harvest festival without direct ties to the dead, suggesting that November 1 was more of a Germanic influence.
In 835, Emperor Louis the Pious declared November 1 as a day of obligation throughout the Holy Roman Empire, following a request from Pope Gregory IV and with the agreement of all bishops, solidifying its celebration on this date.
Sicard of Cremona, a scholar from the 12th and 13th centuries, suggested that Pope Gregory VII eliminated the May 13 feast in favor of November 1. By the 12th century, May 13 had been removed from liturgical calendars.
On May 13, 609 or 610, Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs, establishing this date as an anniversary. The feast of the dedication of Saint Mary to the Martyrs has been celebrated in Rome ever since. It is believed that May 13 was chosen because it coincided with the Roman festival of Lemuria, where people sought to appease restless spirits. Some experts suggest that the similarities between Lemuria and All Saints’ Day, in terms of their themes and timing, point to Lemuria as a possible origin for the latter.
Pope Gregory III, who reigned from 731 to 741, dedicated an oratory in Old St. Peter’s Basilica for the relics of the apostles, martyrs, and saints resting around the world. Some accounts indicate that he dedicated this oratory on November 1, which is why this date is now recognized as All Saints’ Day. Other records suggest that on November 1, 731, he held a synod against iconoclasm but dedicated the oratory on Palm Sunday, April 12, 732.
By the year 800, churches in Ireland and Northumbria were celebrating a feast for all saints on November 1. Early manuscripts from the Irish Martyrology of Tallaght and Martyrology of Óengus show a commemoration of all saints on this date. In 800, Alcuin of Northumbria suggested the November 1 feast to his friend Arno in Bavaria. Alcuin then influenced Charlemagne to adopt the Feast of All Saints in the Frankish Kingdom.
Some experts believe that churches in the British Isles started celebrating All Saints on November 1 in the 8th century to match or take the place of the Celtic festival called Samhain, which was observed in Ireland and Scotland. James Frazer supports this idea, suggesting that November 1 was chosen because it aligned with the Celtic festival that honored the dead. In contrast, Ronald Hutton argues that the earliest documents show Samhain was more of a harvest celebration without specific ties to death. Hutton thinks that the idea of November 1 is rooted in Germanic traditions rather than Celtic ones.
In 835, Emperor Louis the Pious declared November 1 as a required feast day for the Holy Roman Empire, following advice from Pope Gregory IV and with agreement from all bishops, solidifying its celebration on that date.
Sicard of Cremona, a scholar from the 12th and 13th centuries, claimed that Pope Gregory VII replaced the feast on May 13 with the celebration on November 1. By the 12th century, the May feast was removed from liturgical texts.
Pope Sixtus IV added the octave for All Saints during his reign from 1471 to 1484. However, both the All Saints vigil and the octave were eliminated during the liturgical changes made by Pope Pius XII in 1955.
Eastern Orthodox Churches
The Eastern Orthodox Church honors all saints together on All Saints’ Sunday, which takes place on the Sunday after Pentecost, following the Byzantine tradition.
By 411, the East Syrians celebrated a “Commemoratio Confessorum” on the Friday after Easter while using the Chaldean Calendar. St. John Chrysostom’s 74th homily from the late 4th or early 5th century mentions a feast for all martyrs on the first Sunday after Pentecost, likely delivered in Constantinople.
The Feast of All Saints became more significant in the 9th century during the time of Byzantine Emperor Leo VI “the Wise.” After the death of his wife, Empress Theophano, who was known for her piety and posthumous miracles, Leo wanted to name a church after her. Local bishops advised against it, leading him to dedicate the church to “All Saints” instead. It is believed that Leo broadened the feast from only martyrs to include all saints.
This Sunday also signifies the end of the Paschal season, featuring additional scriptural readings and hymns honoring all saints, known and unknown. Late spring marks the Sunday after Pentecost Saturday, dedicated to all locally honored saints, such as “All Saints of America” or “All Saints of Mount Athos.” The third Sunday after Pentecost can also recognize specific local saints, like those from St. Petersburg or a special group such as “New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke.”
Additionally, Saturdays throughout the year are set aside for general remembrance of all saints, with special hymns sung from the Octoechos.
In Lebanon, the celebration of November 1 as a holiday shows the impact of Western Catholic traditions, rather than being an original Maronite practice (we are baptized Maronites but follow the Roman Catholic traditions). The Maronite equivalent to celebrating all saints occurs on one of three Sundays leading up to Lent, known as the Sunday of the Righteous and the Just. The following Sunday is dedicated to the Sunday of the Faithful Departed, similar to the Western All Souls’ Day.
Protestant Practices
After the Reformation, the celebration of All Saints’ Day continued in the liturgical calendars of Lutheran and Anglican churches. In Lutheran churches, including the Church of Sweden, this day is a time to honor the deceased. The observance occurs on the Saturday between October 31 and November 6 in Sweden, while many Lutheran churches choose to celebrate it on the first Sunday of November. In the Church of England, a key branch of the Anglican Communion, it is recognized as a Principal Feast and can be celebrated on either November 1 or the Sunday falling between October 30 and November 5. Other Protestant groups, like the United Church of Canada and various Methodist denominations, also observe this day.
On All Saints’ Day, Protestants remember all Christians, both living and dead. For those who do observe it, the day serves as a time to reflect on all Christians throughout history. In the United Methodist Church, the celebration takes place on the first Sunday of November and honors both saints and local church members who have passed away. During the service, an Acolyte may light a candle for each deceased person as the clergy read their names. This event often includes prayers and responsive readings. Many congregations also display the names of those who died in the past year on a memorial plaque.
In many Lutheran churches, All Saints’ Day is observed on the Sunday after Reformation Sunday, typically the first Sunday in November. This day is mainly used to remember those who have died in the Christian faith. In some communities, names of the deceased from the past year are read aloud during worship, often accompanied by the ringing of a bell or lighting of a candle. While the remembrance is treated solemnly, the day ultimately celebrates Christ’s triumph over death.
In English-speaking countries, services usually feature the hymn “For All the Saints,” written by Walsham How, with Sine Nomine by Ralph Vaughan Williams being the most recognized tune. Other hymns commonly sung during this celebration include “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” and “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones.”
There is an ancient Spanish tradition for All Saints Day consisting on lighting candles at home for “showing” our beloved ones “the way”, so their souls can visit us that night.
Do animals have a soul? There is no way to prove if animals (or people) have a soul or not. About 100 years ago the question if women or non-white people have a soul was still under discussion. Think about that. We are believers of science and God. Not mutually exclusive. We may be advanced apes floating on a rock but with God, all things are possible and yeah, we believe dogs (and animals) are included. After all, God named them all and would like to think he doesn’t really like wasting time and we can only understand so much, even the most brilliant amongst us.