All Saints' Day
These days, Halloween celebrations are more or less over in one night. But in the Christian calendar of centuries past, Halloween was just the beginning of three days of commemoration as part of a religious event known as All Saints’ Day.
Central to All Hallowtide, as it was known, was All Saints or All Hallows Day traditionally taking place on 1st November.
It was, and is, the day to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history and provides a contemplative contrast to our contemporary Halloween candy and thrills. Concluding with All Souls Day on 2nd November, when priests encouraged their flock to pray for the souls of the departed, All Hallowtide encompassed a mix of traditions, both Christian and pagan. The common thread was the belief that a powerful spiritual bond connects us with our ancestors.
Launched in the year 609 by Pope Boniface IV, All Saints was originally held on 13th May, until Pope Gregory IV moved it to 1st November in 837. Gregory may have been attempting to smother pagan rituals still held in the autumn.
For ancient, pre-Christian Britons, early November had marked the beginning of winter. Bonfires had been lit on hilltops, from which domestic fires were kindled. The souls of the departed were believed to visit their old homes.
By the ninth century, All Saints Day had become merely another thread woven into this tapestry of tradition. Christianity coexisted with folk beliefs, some of which persist to this day – apple-bobbing, trick-or-treating and mask-wearing all have roots in All Hallowtide’s pagan origins.
Yet in medieval Britain, the cult of saints was powerful, too. Saints were believed to be able to petition God on behalf of devotees, and pilgrimages were made to places associated with them.
These days, churches hold All Saints Day services in which worshippers light candles to commemorate all the saints and martyrs of Christian history and legend.
Further reading
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