|
All Saints' Day is first mentioned in the fourth century to honor Christian martyrs. In the early 600's AD, Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon to the Virgin Mary and to Martyrs thus creating a holiday with the same venue. For several hundred years, All Saints' Day was celebrated on May 13, the day of the Pantheon dedication.
In 835 AD, Pope Gregory IV changed the date to November 1 probably for the purpose of Christianizing the superstitious pagan festival of the same time. Unfortunately, today, Halloween, the remnants of the pagan holiday seem to attract more attention even though All Saints Day remains a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics. |
