All Saints Review

: Pope Gregory IV extended the feast to the entire Western Church in 837 AD.

: Early records show a collective feast for all martyrs was established, primarily because the number of martyrs during Roman persecutions eventually exceeded the days in the year. All Saints

The feast emerged from the early Christian tradition of honoring martyrs on the anniversaries of their deaths. : Pope Gregory IV extended the feast to

: Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Virgin Mary and all martyrs on May 13, 609 AD, establishing an official annual feast. : Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in

: In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved the celebration to November 1st. Some historians suggest this was to coincide with or supplant pagan harvest festivals like the Celtic Samhain .

(also known as All Hallows' Day or Hallowmas ) is a major Christian solemnity celebrated on November 1st in Western Christianity and the first Sunday after Pentecost in the East . It is dedicated to honoring all the saints of the church, both officially canonized figures and the "uncounted multitude" of unknown souls believed to have attained eternal life in heaven. Historical Origins