S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

All Saints' Day in observed on November 1 by the West (Roman Catholic Church, for instance). In Eastern rite churches, it is observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Its purpose is to commemor...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is All Saints Day?

Hallow is an old word meaning "saint." All Hallows' Day (also known as All Saints' Day) is a holiday to honour dead saints. The evening before All Hallows' Day was called All Hallows' Eve, later shortened to Halloween.

All Saints' Day is a Christian feast celebrated on November 1 to honour all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, who have attained heaven. As a major solemnity and Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics, it commemorates the "immense multitude" of saints beyond those officially canonised, focusing on their examples of faith and virtue.

The Catholic Encyclopedia defines All Saints' Day as a feast to "honour all the saints, known and unknown." At the end of the second century, so-called Christians began to honour those who had been martyred for their faith and, believing that they were already with Christ in heaven, prayed to them to intercede on their behalf. A regular commemoration began when, on May 13, 609 or 610 C.E., Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon—the Roman temple of all the gods—to Mary and all the martyrs. Markale comments: "The Roman gods left their place to the saints of the triumphant religion."

The Encyclopedia Americana says: "Elements of the customs connected with Halloween can be traced to a Druid ceremony in pre-Christian times. The Celts had festivals for two major gods—a sun god and a god of the dead (called Samhain), whose festival was held on November 1, the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The festival of the dead was gradually incorporated into Christian ritual."—(1977), Vol. 13, p. 725.

The Bible teaches that the dead in Christ are alive; it nowhere teaches us to ask for their intercession. Paul teaches a good point in Hebrews Chapter 4: 114-16and Chapter 7: 24-25:

Acts 4:12 tells us to depend on Jesus Christ for salvation. Acts 4:12 ESV: "And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved."

Also, Paul says in 1Timothy 2:5 ESV, "For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,"

Celebrations like Halloween conflict with Bible teachings. The Bible warns: "There must never be anyone among you who... practices divination, who is soothsayer, augur or sorcerer, who uses charms, consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead."​—Deuteronomy 18:10, 11, The Jerusalem Bible; see also Leviticus 19:31; Galatians 5:19-21.

Everything we do should honour God.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.—1 Corinthians 10:31

How can we make good decisions about celebrations?

Proverbs 15:15; Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:7; John 8:32; 

Learn about the origins of popular celebrations to see if they please God.

May 05 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report