The observance of All Saints Day Began in the 360’s in the Syrian church with a festival that remembered all the martyrs. With the persecutions ending in the church, it became easy to forget what the martyrs gave up for their faith, easy to forget what our faith is worth.
In 610 the great pantheon in Rome, which had been dedicated to all the gods in earth and the planets, was rededicated as a Christian basilica in memory of Mary and the martyrs. In 835 the feast of All Saints was added to the church calendar by Gregory VII. The intent of the festival was to recall the memory of all who had departed in the faith, and the triumph of Christ over all the false gods.
The celebration of All Saints Day became confused over time by false teaching of the Roman church, including purgatory, forgiveness coming from the works of the saints, salvation by works + faith, etc.
The word “saint” is from the Latin and means “holy one.” Because through faith we have been forgiven all of our sins by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all Christian believers are saints. In the New Testament, God through His apostles addresses the Christians as saints, and Peter says clearly, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
This festival is significant for us for several reasons. It reminds us of the mercy of God, who gave His only Son to save us, and then has worked throughout history to bring faith to lost and sinful mankind – using other sinners who are holy only in Christ. It reminds us of the importance of our faith as we remember those who gave their lives rather than renounce it. It reminds us of those who have given us spiritual life because they faithfully pass on the means of grace, the gospel in word and sacrament. The example of faithfulness set by the Christians who have gone before us is an inspiration to us. It reminds us of the wonderful grace of God who calls us to the joys of heaven and even now permits us to praise Him “with angels and archangels and all the saints in heaven and on earth,” a glorious host who already now are together praising the “Lamb who once was slaign,” the “Lamb of God” Who has taken away the sins of the world.