The Forgotten History of All Hallow’s Eve

Halloween was not always a night of trick-or-treating, jack-o-lanterns, and spooks. 

By Wendy Butzerin
Burien.News Contributor

The holiday we call Halloween has its roots in ancient Christian tradition. While this is true of multiple holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, the origins of Halloween seem to be the most obscure. The word Halloween comes from the phrase “All Hallows Eve,” since the root “hallow” is an old English word for holy person or saint. For centuries in the Christian world, October 31st has been the vigil for “All Saints Day,” which is then celebrated each year on November 1st. On this day, Catholics and some Protestant denominations remember and honor those faithful saints and martyrs who are now in heaven. 

Christians have been around for about 2,000 years. This practice of venerating saints goes way back to the third century AD. During that period, the ruthless Roman Emperor Diocletian was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Christians. These martyrs chose to die rather than worship false gods or abandon their faith. Their heroic lives were a great encouragement and inspiration to the early followers of Christ who also faced persecution. 

At first, the early Christians would commemorate each of the faithful departed on their own dedicated day and sometimes decorate their tombs. However, under Emperor Diocletian, the number killed became far greater than the number of days in the year. This required them to dedicate one particular day to venerate their deceased. At that time, it was called “All Martyrs Day,” which later evolved to include all saints in heaven, regardless of their manner of death. 

In 609 AD, Pope Boniface IV designated May 13th as the Feast of All Martyrs. Later, in 731, Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in the Vatican for all saints and martyrs. At the same time, the feast day was moved to November 1st, and the vigil “All Hallows Eve” was added. This solemnity expanded to honor all saints in Heaven, and was considered so important to the faithful that attendance was required for the universal church. 

Human beings need role models to encourage them, and for Christians, these are the saints. Heroic saints come from different countries and cultures worldwide. These holy men and women have lived courageously during times of war, peace, famine, and prosperity. Although each life journey is unique, all saints have triumphed through great trials.  According to the Bible, there are a multitude of holy men and women in heaven who have completed their journey of faith.

A verse from the Book of Hebrews says,

“With so many witnesses in a great cloud all around us, we too, then, should throw off everything that weighs us down and the sin that clings so closely, and with perseverance keep running in the race which lies ahead of us.” – Hebrews 12:1

Catholics traditionally honor “All Saints Day” by attending mass and asking the saints to pray for us. We believe in the Communion of Saints, which means that all souls living in heaven and on earth are united in Christ. Many have favorite saints whose life stories are of particular encouragement to them. 

In American society today, many Christians have forgotten “All Hallows Eve” and its religious roots, so naturally, secular practices have filled the void. The rich tradition of “All Hallows Eve” has been replaced by commercialized activities and increasingly more pagan and cultic practices. 

However, as Christians, we have the opportunity to learn how God’s grace has transformed the lives of saints who have gone before us. We, too, can embrace God’s power in our own lives and someday become saints.

All Hallow’s Eve – A Vigil for All Saints Day (123rf.com)