When is All Saints’ Day 2019? Why is it known as All Hallows’ Day and why do Christians celebrate it on November 1?
A LOT of people forget the day after Halloween marks a holy occasion for Christians around the world.
All Saints' Day falls on November 1 - here's what it's all about.
When is All Saints’ Day 2018?
All Saints’ Day always falls on November 1 – the day after Halloween.
This year it falls on a Thursday.
Why is the day also known as All Hallows’ Day?
All Saints’ Day is also known as All Hallows’ Day, Hallowmas, Feast of All Saints and Solemnity of All Saints.
“Hallow” means a saint, or somebody holy – hence All Hallows’ Day.
The day is a Christian festival that honours all saints and martyrs, both known and unknown.
Christians celebrate All Saints' Day because they believe that there is a powerful spiritual bond between those in heaven (known as the "Church triumphant"), and the living (called the "Church militant").
Believers attend church and try not to do any servile work.
Remembering saints has been a Christian tradition since the fourth century AD, but it wasn't until 609AD that Pope Boniface IV decided to remember all martyrs.
Originally, May 13 was the Feast of All Holy Martyrs, but in 837AD, Pope Gregory IV extended the festival to remember all saints and changed both its name to Feast of All Saints, as well as the date to November 1.
In English-speaking countries, All Saints’ Day is traditionally celebrated with the hymn "For All the Saints" by Walsham How and by lighting candles of remembrance.
In countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Spain and Portugal offerings are made on the day and in Mexico the day also coincides with the Day Of The Dead, which lasts from October 31 to November 2.
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Why do Christians celebrate it on November 1?
All Saints' Day falls where it does because it marks the day after All Hallows' Eve (Halloween) and before All Souls' Day - which serves as a possibility to worship the faithful departed.
The three are practices by Christians worldwide as a time for worship and remembrance.
These three days are known collectively as Allhallowtide.