Last week I shared some history on Halloween customs. This week, the history of All Saints' Day, celebrated Nov. 1.

All Saints' Day is also called the Solemnity of All Saints, All Hallows or Hallowmas. (Thus, the night before is All Hallows Eve or Halloween.) Hallow means sacred or consecrated, like a 'hallowed battleground.' The day is set aside in Christian tradition to remember all saints, known and unknown.

The holiday reached more prominence in the ninth century because of Leo VI, emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Leo's wife, Theophano was a devout Christian. Upon her death, Leo built a church intending to dedicate it to her. Since Theophano was not named a saint by the Roman Catholic church, he was not allowed to name the church in her honor.

Instead, he dedicated it to All Saints, believing his wife to be among the unrecognized saints. (I hope I'm remembered so fondly by my spouse!)

After the Reformation, many Protestant churches maintained the celebration of All Saints. Within Anglican and Lutheran theology, the day is traditionally a commemoration of the dead.

All Saints' Day is celebrated in many other countries with visits to the graves of loved ones, as Americans do on Memorial Day. In Portugal, children go door to door where they receive cakes, nuts and pomegranates.

This week at the HHH

New banquet hall is open for occupancy on Nov. 1. Schedule a holiday party or other gathering for your business, club or family. There are still a few December dates open. Alcohol may be served (no keg beer). Please call the HHH office at (507) 433-4243 for more information.

Coming Soon

22nd Annual Christmas Open House will run Friday-Monday, November 20-23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The Premier Night Dinner returns for 2009 with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Please call the HHH office at (507) 433-4243 for more information.

Laura Helle is the director of the Hormel Historic Home, 208 Fourth Ave. N.W., Austin.

There are 0 comments - Display All Comments