What is All Souls’ Day?

Answer

All Souls’ Day is a church holiday intended to honor loved ones who have passed away. The various branches of the church have distinct backgrounds with All Souls’ Day.

Roman Catholicism: The official title of All Souls’ Day in the Roman Catholic Church is “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.” Initially, this feast day was observed around Easter, but it was later shifted to November 2, the day following All Saints’ Day (unless the 2nd falls on a Sunday, in which case All Souls’ Day is moved to the 3rd). Roman Catholics pray, attend Mass, visit cemeteries, and give alms in memory of those believers whom they believe are in purgatory, hoping that their souls will be released to heaven. The remainder of November is also dedicated to praying for the deceased.

Eastern Orthodoxy: Tradition holds that in 893, Byzantine Emperor Leo VI wanted to dedicate a church to his wife. His request was denied, so he dedicated it to “all souls,” ensuring that she would be remembered in the festivities. A feast that was originally only for martyrs was changed to include all the faithful. The Orthodox Church celebrates All Souls’ Day multiple times throughout the year, including four occasions during or near Lent.

Protestantism: The observance or lack thereof of All Souls’ Day varies across Protestantism. Some Protestant denominations combined All Souls’ Day with All Saints’ Day. Others have done away with All Souls’ Day completely. Some observe it in a purely secular manner by cleaning the gravestones of departed loved ones.

Although All Souls’ Day has connections to pagan festivals of the deceased, it is relatively recent—dating back to the Middle Ages, at the latest. It is not rooted in the Bible. While it is acceptable to tend to cemeteries and remember our departed loved ones, purgatory is not a reality, and there is no basis for us to pray for the dead.