Calendar for November 1st, 2012

All Saints' Day

This is the day when all the saints are honored, especially those who do not have a day of their own. The idea probably began in the fourth century as a way to honor Christian martyrs whose names were unknown. In an attempt to replace the popular pagan festival of the dead (Samhain), the church moved the celebration of All Saints to November 1. The day was formerly known as Allhallowmas, hallow meaning "holy" or "holy person." All Saints Day is known in England as All Hallows Day, and the evening before is All Hallows Even, the origin of the American word Halloween.