What is All Saints Day?
Holy Day is a Christian holiday that is celebrated in many countries at different times and in different ways. In Finland, All Saints’ Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of November. This day is dedicated to the memory of all saints, martyrs and deceased. All Saints’ Day is an important part of the Christian tradition and has deep roots in history.
History of the Holy Day
The roots of the holiday date back to early Christian times, when martyrs’ memorial days began to be celebrated. Originally, All Saints’ Day was celebrated on May 13th, but in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1st. This move was made in part because it fell close to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter.
Holidays in Finland
In Finland, All Saints’ Day has been an official holiday since 1955, and it is celebrated on the first Saturday of November. The day is dedicated to the memory of both all saints and the dead. Many Finns go to cemeteries on All Saints’ Day to light candles on the graves of their deceased loved ones. This creates a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere when cemeteries are filled with candlelight.
Sunday Traditions
There are many traditions associated with the holiday, which vary from region to region and family to family. Common ways include:
- Lighting candles on graves
- Silence and remembrance
- Church attendance
- Getting together with family and friends
The Meaning of the Holy Day
Holidays offer an opportunity to quiet down and remember deceased loved ones. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the questions of life and death and one’s own relationship with death. For many people, All Saints’ Day is an important part of grieving and helps deal with loss.
Sources
You can read more about All Saints’ Day from the following sources:
