All Saints Day began as a feast day to celebrate Christian martyrs and saints. The feast coincided with a vigil on All Hallows Eve, or what is known today as Halloween.Women for Faith & Family: All Saints Day
History of All Saints Day
As Christianity spread into heathen, Celtic lands, many religious leaders tried to eradicate pagan celebrations like Halloween. Eventually Pope Gregory IV declared that November 1st as All Saints Day, a day to honor dead saints and martyrs, which functioned similarly to the Celtic new year celebration of Samhain, which also feel on November 1st and that honored the spirits of the dead.History.com: History of Halloween
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References
Fast Facts
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Observed November 1st in the west
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Originally celebrated the first Sunday after PentecostWomen for Faith & Family: All Saints Day
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Eastern Orthodox Catholics still celebrate All Saints the Sunday after PentecostNew World Encyclopedia: All Saints Day
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Also known as The Feast of All Hallows, All Hallows, HallowmasChurch Year: All Saints Day
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Followed by All Souls Day on November 2nd
