The 
All Saints' Day
2006
Both the Roman Catholic and the Anglican Church's have observed All Saints' Day since 837. Pope Gregory was credited with first suggesting and confirming the holy holiday as a way to honor the martyrs who had died for Christianity.
All Saints' Day was first created to honor and show respect for the martyrs who died in the pursuit of Christianity. This tradition was then extended to include known martyrs and unknown martyrs this was a symbolic gesture to state that millions of Christians around the world were on a vigil to help promote an insure the future of Christianity.
As the decades and then centuries past the Protestant church and the Roman Catholic Church and Anglican church's all broadened again the meaning and symbolic nature of All Saints' Day.
It was during this Reformation that these churches' decided to include honoring the Saints along with martyrs on All Saints' Day. The end goal of this decision was to bring all members of all the various types of Christian religions closer together.
All Saints' Day is now celebrated to strengthen the bonds among Christians and also to recognize and celebrate the people in the past who have paid the ultimate price to promote Christianity.
Whatever your religion is this coming All Saints' Day, take a moment or two and reflect on the people in your past and throughout history that made it possible for you to be where you are today.
Christian-Charles de Plicque
Angel House International Missions Ministries Association
Karleby Finland 2006
www.deplicque.net
Article also available in French
