All Saints' Day

A little tidbit to your General Knowledge

Introduction
On the 1 November 2008, the Catholics celebrate an important solemnity called All Saints' Day. In terms of the Roman Catholic thology, the feast commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven. All Saints' Day is instituted to honour all the saints in heaven, be it known or unknown. The following day, the Roman Catholic church commemorates the departed faithful but not yet purified in heaven.
History
In the early days, the Christians were customed to solemnize the anniversary of a martyr's death for Christ at the place of martyrdom. In the fourth century, neighbouring dioceses began to interchange feasts, to transfer relics, to divide them, and to join in a common feast. Many martyrs suffered on the same day, which naturally led to a joint commemoration. The Church, feeling that the martyr should be venerated, appointed a day for all. At first, only martyrs and Saint John the Baptist were honoured by a special day. Other saints were gradually added, and increased in number when a regular process of canonization was established.