All Saints' Day

noun

a church festival celebrated November 1 in honor of all the saints; Allhallows.

All Saints' Day

noun

a Christian festival celebrated on Nov 1 to honour all the saints

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Word History and Origins

Origin of All Saints' Day¹

First recorded in 1570–80

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More About All Saints’ Day

What is All Saints’ Day?

All Saints’ Day is a Christian holiday in honor of all the Christian saints.

It originated as a holiday of the Catholic Church, but it is also observed by some other Christians.

The day after All Saints’ Day is All Souls’ Day, a Christian holiday of solemn prayer for all dead persons.

Older names for All Saints’ Day include Allhallows, Allhallowmas, and Hallowmas. The night before was known as Allhallows Eve, which is where the word Halloween comes from.

When is All Saints’ Day?

All Saints’ Day is always observed on November 1.

Where does All Saints’ Day come from?

The name All Saints’ Day has been used since at least the 1570s. Records of its earlier name, Allhallows, come from before 1000. Allhallows uses the obsolete noun hallow, meaning “holy person” or “saint.”

Like many Christian holidays, the observance of All Saints’ Day—and its date—are thought to have been influenced by preexisting religious traditions. Many historians believe that the observance of All Saints’ Day was situated on November 1 in Britain and Ireland to coincide with (or replace) the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, observed on or around November 1.

Under Christianity, some of the traditions of Samhain were incorporated into All Saints’ Day. Many of these customs were brought by immigrants to the US, where Halloween has been influenced by and has incorporated elements from several cultures. One cultural celebration with some notable parallels with Halloween is Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), which coincides with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (likely due to the influence of Christian European colonizers and missionaries in Mexico and Latin America).

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What are some synonyms for All Saints’ Day?

What are some words that share a root or word element with All Saints’ Day?

What are some words that often get used in discussing All Saints’ Day?

How is All Saints’ Day used in real life?

All Saints’ Day is primarily observed by Catholics, but it is also observed by some other branches of Christianity. Outside of Christianity, it is perhaps best known for its relation to Halloween.

These are two paintings to remind us of All Saints Day and All Souls Day coming up at the end of the month. It used to be a well-known time in the Liturgical calendar known as Allhallowtide.

We are making plans with other churches in the diocese and hope that you will join us. pic.twitter.com/XosYbFdvhV

— stmarknc (@stmarknc) October 19, 2021

As we are celebrating All Saints Day this coming Sunday, the passage for tonight's Zoom Bible Study is the Gospel reading assigned for All Saints Year B: John 11: 1-45, the raising of Lazarus.

You are welcome to join us at 7pm EDT. DM if you require the link!

— St. John's Dixie (@StJohnsDixie) October 26, 2021

The Day of the Dead and Halloween are not the same thing. They aren't even on the same day. It's on Nov 1st & 2nd, and is more closely related to All Saints Day and All Souls Day as it's about celebrating friends/family who have died https://t.co/6WoJBdHAq5

— Jax Persists (@LadyJayPersists) October 21, 2021

Try using All Saints’ Day!

True or False?

Another word for All Saints’ Day is Allhallows.

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