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The Real Origin of Santa Claus: Who Was He Really?
When and where did Santa Claus first appear in history? Perhaps one of the most endearing fabrications ever created is the character of Santa Claus. He travels great distances to deliver gifts to millions upon millions of homes throughout the world all at once, just in time for Christmas. But that’s not how the actual world works. Putting aside an adult’s rationale, this picture does make sense for kids who peek out of keyholes on Christmas Eve, giddy with excitement and amazement at the prospect of seeing the mysterious gift-giver in person but also for those who don’t actually believe in him.
The modern conception of Santa Claus was actually created by a Union propaganda cartoonist during the American Civil War.
Santa Claus and materialism
Despite the annual focus on materialism, there is more to the story of Santa Claus than meets the eye. His representation echoes a centuries-old custom that has a direct connection to generosity. There can’t be anything wrong with Santa Claus to start with since giving is caring, right?
However, criticism of the excesses of the holiday and of Santa Claus as a symbol of it has become as firmly associated with the fat, old, friendly man as his white ruffled beard, bushy eyebrows, red robe, and fur-trimmed cap. In some places, chocolate Santas appear on the shelves already in late summer.
Did Coca-Cola invent Santa Claus?
Artist: Haddon “Sunny” Sundblom (1899-1976) (Image: The Coca-Cola Company)
That pretty much sums up what Santa is like these days. Something that the soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola had a hand in creating and popularizing. Effervescent specialists chose the round, vulnerable man as the face of a successful advertising campaign in 1931, when the globe had not yet recovered from the greatest economic crisis in history. However, Coca-Cola is not responsible for the existence of Santa Claus.
Who was the original Santa Claus?
Saint Nicholas Of Myra Bishop, c. 342.
Instead, Saint Nicholas is where Santa Claus gets his inspiration from. Since the 14th century, the 6th of December has been a day of gift-giving in honor of Saint Nicholas. However, why him specifically? As a personification, St. Nicholas combines the characteristics of two different historical figures.
One such person is Bishop Nicholas of Myra, who served in the 3rd century in what is now Turkey. Nicholas of Sion, a historical figure from the 6th century who lived in an area close to Myra, is also included in the legend.
Stories tell us how these two men’s lives merged to become the legendary character of Saint Nicholas of Myra, who, according to the myth, worked many miracles. Some of his miracles include calming a storm, reviving the dead, and rescuing three young ladies from a life of prostitution by sneaking gold into their father’s house at night. The legend of the selfless benefactor and guardian, Santa Claus, who visited unobserved youngsters at night to provide presents, was formed from this act of kindness.
Luther established the Christ Child
Martin Luther played the biggest role in the creation of Santa Claus.
But then the reformer Martin Luther came along, and he had a low opinion about paying tribute to the dead. He advocated turning attention away from cults of personality and onto God and Jesus. Even now, people celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6. In the Netherlands, they call him “Sinterklaas,” which is said to be the original name of “Santa Claus”.
It wasn’t until the Reformation of the 16th century that the great gift-giver was destined to be transformed into someone else. As early as 1530, Luther separated bishops from the role of “Holy Christian” of St. Nicholas and made him only the “giver of gifts.” Luther’s goals were fulfilled when the custom of exchanging presents shifted from the first of the month to Christmas, the later of the month.
Historians disagree on whether the “Holy Christ” was meant to represent a young version of Jesus or an angel-like being. But at that point, he had become the Christ Child after all these years. He was known to be shown with white robes and wings sometimes.
When did modern Santa Claus first appear?
An illustration for the “Old Santeclaus with Much Delight,” 1821.
Family gift-giving at Christmas has been a popular tradition through the years and decades, and it has also served as a teaching instrument: it is always the good people who receive presents. Santa Claus is a composite character, the result of a variety of traditions that grew more secular as the 19th century progressed and distanced themselves from the Christ Child and the original Saint Nicholas.
An anonymous artist in 1821 created eight illustrations for the poem “Old Santeclaus with Much Delight,” which depicted, among other things, a man in a scarlet coat riding a reindeer sled for the first time in history. It’s the earliest written account of Santa Claus’s arrival on Christmas Eve and the first time his reindeer or sleigh is mentioned (let alone depicted). The artworks included with this poem are the first-ever portrayals of Santa Claus to be published in print.
A tiny booklet titled “The Children’s Friend: A New-Year’s Present, to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve,” by American poet William B. Gilley was also released in 1821.
The American writer Clement Clarke Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas,” written two years later in 1823, is famed for its description of a bearded Santa Claus. When Christmas finally arrives, the gifts follow, and this long tradition is described in a poem by German poet August Fallersleben, “Tomorrow Comes Santa Claus,” in 1835. His Santa Claus brought the children sabers, rifles, and flags, which could be handy in a time stuck between the July Revolution (1830) and the German Revolution (1848).
The man behind the modern version of Santa Claus
Today’s iconic “Merry Old Santa Claus” painting was really just another piece of Union propaganda meant to solidify the public’s perception of Santa. (Image: by Thomas Nast, Wikimedia Commons)
At the end of the 19th century, newspapers and Heinrich Hoffmann’s “Struwwelpeter” children’s book both included additional passages and caricatures of Santa Claus. After a while, the big man stopped wearing his St. Nicholas bishop’s robes, miters, and crozier and instead switched to a cloak and pointed cap for the first time.
Luther’s reformation did at least relegate St. Nicholas to obscurity, and now Nicholas was morphing into Santa Claus. The cartoonist Thomas Nast, who settled in the United States after migrating from Germany in 1862, similarly depicted a plump, bearded man bringing gifts to Union troops stationed up north. Santa Claus had been portrayed in the art for decades with a striking resemblance to the modern-day version after that.
The modern conception of Santa Claus was actually created by a Union propaganda cartoonist during the American Civil War.
The evolution of gift-giving
Gift-giving has evolved from an act of unilateral giving to one of mutual “gratification” since the 1931 Coca-Cola commercial, which depicted Santa Claus on billboards for the first time throughout the globe. There are no examples of a gift exchange in the Christmas spirit as we understand it in the Bible.
Consequently, particularly in the first centuries of the Christian era, giving had to be viewed more as actual support for survival than as an expression of individual love, the enhancement of pleasure in life, or the hope for a happy union. Therefore, there was less of a symbiotic gift exchange between the origin of Christmas and Santa Claus.
Compared to Santa Claus, the gifts of the Magi (the “Three Wise Men“) at Christ’s birth can be seen more as a one-way exchange as their offerings recognized Jesus’ holy status at his birth.
Many people find it difficult to express such personalized love via Christmas presents. It’s not always simple to provide a gift that both pleases and delights the recipient, as well as meets their reasonable expectations. Equally ambiguous is the appropriate response to a gift that may not be to one’s liking. There’s always the option of putting the blame on Santa Claus. That’s essentially his job description as well.
Bibliography
1. Jean Blacker; Glyn S. Burgess; Amy V. Ogden, 2013, “The Life of St Nicholas: Introduction”.
2. Gerry Bowler, 2005. Santa Claus: a biography. McClelland & Stewart Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7710-1668-4.
3. George Ferguson, 1976, “St. Nicholas of Myra or Bari”, Signs and Symbols in Christian Art, Oxford University Press.
4. Jeremy Seal, 2005, Nicholas: The Epic Journey from Saint to Santa Claus.
December 22, 2022
Origin of Christmas tree: From Pagan roots to modern tradition
Yes, there is no mention of a Christmas tree in the narrative surrounding Jesus’ birth. And the early Christmas trees did not appear until the 15th century. When Martin Luther and other reformers claimed the Christmas tree for the Protestants, the Nativity scene had hitherto been associated with Christmas only in the Catholic tradition. The habit of adorning the home with evergreens is traced to the Germans, and it finally spread to the United States in the 1830s. The custom didn’t fully take off until German Prince Albert offered one to his wife, Queen Victoria of England. Royal fever was propagated through illustrations of the couple in 1848 in front of a Christmas tree.
Christmas tree has been around for at least 4,000 years
The Samhain festival of the Celts is at least 4,500 to 5000 years old.
The Christmas tree custom, which has been around for at least 4,000 years, has its roots in Northern Europe, notably among the Celts. This is due to the Samhain festival of the Celts which is at least 4,500 to 5000 years old. The winter solstice represented the sun’s rebirth and renewal, hence its symbolism was significant. In the past, on December 24, it was usual to adorn the Christmas tree with edible items like fruit and ears of wheat. In order to compete with this pagan event, the Christian Church in the 4th century decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on the same day.
The Celts attributed a tree to each month of the year, and December’s tree was the one they identified with the celebration of the winter solstice. This custom predates Christianity by at least 2,500 years. In the 11th century, men used red apples as a garnish to represent the heavenly realm of Christianity. In Europe, an ordinary festive tree first made its appearance in Alsace, France, in the 12th century. The tree was given the moniker “the Christmas tree” only for the first time in 1521. Apples, chocolates, and miniature cakes were placed within, and the star of Bethlehem was carefully placed atop the tree as a symbol of the celebration.
Was the first Christmas tree a palm tree?
Probably not but the Christmas tree’s Arabic origin appears in the Koran in a passage with Maryam (or Mary), where she is astonished by childbirth pangs and rests against a tree. Arabic for “Jesus” is “Isa,” and he is born beneath a (Christmas) tree in this story. But this tree wasn’t your average tree; it was a palm tree.
The Pagan origin of the Christmas tree
A Pagan ritual with Donar’s oak (or Thor’s oak) behind.
The Christmas tree is an ancient custom and it seems likely that the modern Christmas tree has its roots in a more Pagan observance. Pagan people traditionally welcomed winter into their houses at the time of the winter solstice. These living, verdant branches were thought to ward off evil winter spirits while also promising safety and fruitfulness.
The custom of putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it dates back to ancient pagan customs. An evergreen tree was decked up with paper ornaments, candles, fruit, and nuts at the time. For this purpose, apples were employed more than any other fruit.
The Christmas tree also dates back to Saturnalia in ancient Rome when the Romans celebrated their god Saturn. In order to celebrate the arrival of spring at the winter solstice on 17–23 December, Pagan Roman families always brought their homes evergreen branches and adorned trees which later became the base of today’s Christmas tree.
Many of the customs we identify with Christmas originated in Saturnalia festivities which also originated in Pagan traditions such as candles, dancing, eating, wreaths, and gifts.
The Romans were familiar with the practice of using green branches to mark the New Year’s Eve celebration, since they did it themselves during the Kalends (the Roman New Year festival) by decorating their homes with laurel.
Evergreen branches were also utilized as a symbol of perpetual life when the Druids, ancient Celtic priests, decorated their temples in Northern Europe. As the “barbaric” Vikings venerated Balder, the sun god, evergreen trees were honored throughout Scandinavia.
Ra was a hawk-headed deity in ancient Egyptian religion who was crowned with a solar disk. The Egyptians celebrated the victory of life over death by decorating their dwellings with green palm rushes on the solstice, when Ra started to recover from his curse.
The Christian origin of the modern Christmas tree
Boniface felling the Donar Oak, painting by Heinrich Maria von Hess in 1834.
An Englishman named Saint Boniface (675-754) traveled to what is now Germany to share the gospel with the native Pagan tribes. The great tree known as Donar’s oak (Thor’s oak), which the new Christians had been worshiping and using for sacrifices, was knocked down by him in 723 or 724 with one mighty blow of his axe. A fir tree sprang from the hole where the tree had split in two.
Because it was a hallowed tree, the Tree of the Christ Child, Saint Boniface explained to the villagers that it held the promise of eternal life. Then, on Christmas, Boniface instructed them to bring a fir tree from the woods into their homes and adorn it with gifts of love and kindness. The result was the origin of the fir Christmas tree.
In the Middle Ages (between the 5th and 15th centuries), Pagan and Christian beliefs began to blend. Church leaders realized early on that they needed to reach out to illiterate members of the community by representing biblical themes in art. This practice gained momentum throughout the Middle Ages.
Among them all, the myth of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden had long been told. So, a “paradise tree” would be instructive for a paradise setting. It was imperative that this tree be evergreen, thus, a fir tree was chosen. Meanwhile, the red apple in the story was the symbol of knowledge, and therefore, it became an indispensable part of the Christmas tree, even today.
The original tale told around the green tree with the apple was not the Christmas story but rather the story of Adam and Eve and the snake. The “tree of paradise” became associated with the Christmas tale throughout time, and thus it may be seen as the progenitor of the Christmas tree that is now adorned with gifts of candy, cookies, and ornaments made of gold.
It is safe to say that the modern version of the Christmas tree with fir was created by Christians. Above all else, though, the actual Christmas tree is an emblem of expectation in many different faiths.
Fir trees in Germany were the first to be decorated
For the modern history of the Christmas tree, a decorated tree is first referenced in 1419 in conjunction with the bakers’ guild of Freiburg in Germany. Though the tree’s origins are still murky. For instance, 2020 marked the 510th anniversary of the adorned Christmas tree in Riga, Latvia.
Therefore, southwest Germany seems to be the birthplace of the decorated fir tree, which evolved from the practice of keeping evergreen branches inside the home, a Pagan tradition. A local legend claims that the Christmas tree trade took place in Strasbourg as early as 1535.
Candles were not offered, but the little yew, holly, and box trees adorned the parlor walls at the time. In 1570, the ritual spread north to Bremen, where guild houses of artisans hung apples, and nuts on their trees. Children were encouraged to take the edible decorations home and devour them.
The fir as a Christmas tree was popularized in the 19th century
In this illustration from December 1848, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children all gather around the royal Christmas tree.
Beginning in 1730, candles were also used to adorn Christmas trees. But initially, only Protestant households decorated trees with lights. During the liberation struggles against Napoleon Bonaparte at the turn of the 19th century, the fir tree became a popular decoration in homes of all faiths. Even non-Christians began to associate the tree with Christmas during this period.
At the tail end of the 19th century, the practice of adorning trees spread across Germany, first to the urban centers and later to the rural areas. Eventually, the Christmas tree made its way throughout Europe, helped by the links of German aristocratic families to other kingdoms.
Although the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree began in Germany, it was made widely known in the 1840s in Britain thanks to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The German Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was Victoria’s mother, therefore the little princess’s upbringing included a Christmas tree and all the trimmings. When the Illustrated London News released a depiction of the royal family gathered around a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle that year (1848), the practice of adorning an entire tree became more widespread in Britain.
Along with emigrants, German troops who participated in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) also helped spread the Christmas tree across the New World in the 1800s. Washington, D.C.’s first “Christmas Tree” was placed in front of the White House in 1891.
Origin of the notable Christmas trees
The National Christmas Tree of 1929. (Image: Congress’s Library)
The tradition of the “Christmas Tree” spread to the United States in the 19th century. In the United States, the Ellipse to the south of the White House has had a Christmas tree every year since November 1923, when First Lady Grace Goodhue Coolidge (1879–1957) approved the idea and gave the go-ahead to the District of Columbia Public Schools in Washington. The tree was officially dubbed the “National Christmas Tree” by its organizers.
Another well-known Christmas tree has its roots in WWII. It is the Norwegian fir that is displayed annually in London’s Trafalgar Square. Since 1947, London’s Trafalgar Square has featured a Christmas tree that has been sent from Oslo. This event is a tribute to the two nations’ resistance against Nazi Germany.
Trafalgar Square Christmas trees. Image: Wikimedia.
Similarly, at Christmastime, the Pope and everyone in Rome marvel at the beauty of a massive tree in St. Peter’s Square known as the Vatican Christmas Tree. It is customary to import the tree from a new nation every year.
The glistening Christmas tree even spread to Latin America after World War II. The ones with the means would buy a tree imported from Europe and adorn it with cotton flakes on Christmas Eve in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
A Christmas tree is an essential part of the holiday season, bringing delight to both children and adults. And today, towns and cities fight to have the biggest and best Christmas tree in the middle of their biggest square. A clipped tree usually dies within 40 days. But scientists have found a way to increase their life to 75 days.
December 22, 2022
History of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and Jesus
As a worldwide Christian holiday, December 25 is widely celebrated as the “Nativity of Mary” or “Nativity of Jesus.” It is a feast honoring the birth of Jesus, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the Virgin Mary in a stable in Bethlehem, according to the faith. Nativity is, along with Easter, the central feast of the Christian calendar. The origin of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary is in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The development of this feast throughout the Christian community, from its earliest celebrations to the present-day custom of placing Nativity cribs and trees topped with stars, seems to be inspired by the more popular Christmas celebration.
The Story of the Nativity
The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is commemorated annually on the feast of the Nativity of Mary. For Christians, his birth represents the Incarnation of God into a human body, and he is both the Son of God and God. In the story, the angel Gabriel revealed to the young Mary that she would bear the Son of God. This event is known as the Annunciation.
Mary’s carpenter husband Joseph was at first inclined to disown her, but an angel appeared to him in a dream and explained everything. The Gospels state that during the reign of King Herod the Great (72 BC–4 BC), the Roman authorities arranged a massive census, compelling all adult males to return to their hometowns to be tallied. So, Joseph took Mary away from Nazareth, and they set out for Bethlehem. According to the Gospel of Luke, Mary gave birth to Jesus in the city.
A painting of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.
There was a prophecy that a king would come from the line of David, and because Jesus’ birth fulfilled that prophecy, King Herod, afraid for his throne, ordered the slaughter of all the babies in Bethlehem. The term “Massacre of the Innocents” describes this event. However, after receiving a second warning in his dream, Joseph quickly took his family to safety in Egypt. As of now, the Gospels are the sole source for information on this massacre, which has led some to speculate that it was fabricated in order to draw parallels between Jesus’ and Moses’ stories.
But according to Roman historian Flavius Josephus (b. 37 AD), the census recounted in the gospels took place in 6 or 7 AD and was ordered by Governor Quirinus. Nonetheless, Herod’s rule expired in 4 BC; thus, this date presents a dilemma for the story of the Nativity. In other words, Herod’s power predated the Quirinus census. In addition, Quirinus’ census would only apply to Judea (where Bethlehem lies) and not Galilee (where Nazareth is located).
Determining a reliable year for Jesus’ birth
Luke the Evangelist (d. 84 AD) referred to Bethlehem as the City of David. Luke was an apostle of Paul who did not personally meet Jesus during his lifetime. Therefore, there is room for mistake in his gospel.
If Joseph went to Bethlehem to be numbered during the reign of governor Quirinus, then one may be looking at a hybrid of Herod I the Great (72 BC–4 BC) and his successor, Herod Archelaus (4 BC–6 AD), referred to in the story of the Nativity. There are two schools of thought when it comes to determining when Jesus was born: those who believe that the census did not take place and that the event must have taken place just a little before the death of Herod I before 4 BC, and those who believe that Joseph did take the census, but under Herod Archelaus, thus placing the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in 6 or 7 AD.
How December 25 was chosen as the day for Nativity
Roman Pagan festival Saturnalia.
“The Nativity” derives its name from the Latin word for the event, Nativitas or Natalis (which means “relating to birth”). While the feast of the Nativity of Jesus has been going strong since at least the 3rd century, there is no universally agreed-upon date for doing so throughout all of Christianity due to the fact that the date is not explicitly stated in the Gospels and has no historical value.
Today, the Nativity is still celebrated on the date of December 25 because the date was chosen as the feast of the Incarnation by Pope Liberius of Rome in the 4th century for symbolic reasons. Since Christmas is pretty much the rehashing of ancient Pagan celebrations, the date of December 25 was also chosen for Christmas Day for the sake of weakening the Pagan celebrations.
The date was a convenient astrological sign as well. Because the winter solstice (the real basis of many end-of-year celebrations like Christmas) usually occurs in late December.
Just like the Nativity, many faiths use this date to celebrate the triumph of life (light) over death (darkness). The Roman Pagans celebrated Saturnalia (the feast of the god Saturn) on this date; Mithra worshippers celebrated Mithragan (the day of the birth of Mithra) on the same day; Sol Invictus (the “Undefeated Sun”), a solar deity combining aspects of Apollo and Mithra, was born on this day; and the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (commemorating the re-inauguration of the Temple in Jerusalem) also falls at a near date.
Therefore, the 25th of December is a day with the common symbolism of the winter solstice, utilized by different faiths, including Paganism, throughout history. In 425, during his reign, Emperor Theodosius II established the day of the Nativity. Gradually, the Feast of the Nativity gained prominence. Around the end of the 5th century, Clovis was baptized on Nativity Day; in 506, the Council of Agde declared the Nativity a legal holiday; and in 529, Emperor Justinian declared the Nativity a day of rest.
The first Nativity scene was created by Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi, in 1223, at Greccio, Italy, arranged a live Nativity scene (with “the faithful” playing the roles) that looks to be the first known example of the term “Nativity scene” as we know it today. Miniature Nativity scenes, like the ones that are popular now, originated in the 16th century, when they were promoted by the Jesuits.
Finally, Christians give presents on December 6 in honor of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, or on the Epiphany, when they remember the gifts the Magi gave to the infant Jesus. The traditional holiday for exchanging presents during the Feast of the Nativity of Mary again varies throughout time and space. But the presents are often handed out on December 25.
Origins of the customs associated with the Nativity
A number of customs dating back to the early Christian period accompany the feast of the Nativity. First, there is the liturgical season of Advent, which consists of the four Sundays immediately before the Nativity of Mary (and also Christmas). Christians traditionally burn an Advent candle on each Sunday leading up to the Nativity of Mary to represent the light that will be born again on that day.
The same candle tradition appears in the Pagan Saturnalia festival in ancient Rome, which occurs at the same time of year. Again, Christmas gift-giving is reminiscent of the ancient Roman practice of presenting sigillaria.
Moving on, one of the most important Christian holidays, after Easter, is the celebration of Christ’s birth at Midnight Mass on December 24, which is seldom conducted on this day. Because the traditional Christmas Eve celebration with loved ones comes too close to the day of Midnight Mass.
During the Nativity season, it is customary for religious Christians to display a miniature replica of a cave or stable in their homes, complete with figurines depicting Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus. This is called the Nativity scene. Traditional crib decorations sometimes include a shepherd tending to his flock of sheep to depict the first visitors to the baby Jesus following the angel’s message (angels are sometimes also present around the nativity crib).
However, the donkey and ox that breathed heat into the baby are not recounted in detail in any of the four gospels that are considered canonical. Evidence for them may be found in the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, a late apocryphal document dating back to at least the 6th century.
According to the story, after giving birth in a cave, Mary took Jesus to a stable, where the animals greeted him by submitting to their lord’s care on their knees, echoing a verse from Isaiah: “The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger.” (Isaiah 1:3) While the donkey and ox were banned from the Nativity scene by the Council of Trent in the 16th century, they have since become a part of the popular Nativity custom. The existence of a Nativity scene in the four gospels, which are considered canonical, implies the presence of domestic animals.
October 14, 2022
All Saints’ Day: Origin and History
The Catholic Church commemorates All Saints’ Day, a feast honoring God and all the saints, on November 1st. Since the beginning of the Church, Christians have honored the lives of the saints who died as martyrs.
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Many cultures are familiar with All Saints’ Day because of the time off from school that it often coincides with. Despite its apparent name, All Saints’ Day is often confused with the subsequent All Souls’ Day and, to a lesser extent, with the preceding Halloween celebration.
Origin of All Saints’ Day
Origin
Before the 16th-century notion of devotion to the saints by the Pope, there were already several kinds of canonizations by various Christian groups. The origin of this day dates back even before the 12th-century canonization process. It’s believed that All Saints’ Day has been celebrated since at least the 5th century. Since no one date had been chosen during that period, most countries (including Syria and Rome) celebrated All Saints’ Day around Easter.
History
The Intercession of St. Francis Xavier, France, 17th century.
All Saints’ Day has been celebrated annually on May 13 since 610, when Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Roman Pantheon, rechristened as the Church of St. Mary and Martyrs. Some believe that the date of November 1 was chosen in the 8th century, during the dedication of a chapel to all the saints in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Pope Gregory III. However, others believe that this date was first chosen in 830, when Pope Gregory IV ordered the universality of All Saints’ Day, making it common to all of Christendom.
Unlike the next day’s All Souls’ Day, which is not a public holiday in some countries, All Saints’ Day is celebrated by many countries on November 1. For this reason, many Christians actually commemorate All Saints’ Day by doing rituals often associated with All Souls’ Day, such as paying respects at graves.
How Is All Saints’ Day Commemorated?
During All Saints’ Day, the believer does not pray to the saint, as is commonly assumed, but simply to God (in his three forms). The faithful person is “pleased” with expressing his or her appreciation for the saint and asking for the saint’s intercession with God. Therefore, the saint is not a god but rather a mediator between the believer and God.
In response to Protestant accusations that Catholics worshiped saints, this distinction was hammered out especially strongly at the Council of Trent (1545–1563). Protestants still don’t put much stock in saints, even today. The doctrine of the communion of saints is still not accepted by Protestants.
The Catholic Church glorifies persons who they believe had a direct connection with God by canonizing them and designating a day after them. However, the Catholic Church does not make the claim that they know all there is to know about all the saints who have lived and made it to heaven. This leads the church to believe that there are more saints than it is aware of, all of whom are worthy of worship.
The celebration of All Saints’ Day is an answer to this issue; it serves to reaffirm the connection between contemporary Christians and the many saints who have come before them, both those commemorated in the calendar and others who have been all but forgotten by history. All Saints’ Day is not only a day to honor the dead but also a time for Christians to reflect on how their own lives may emulate the sacrifices of the saints they honor.
The saints serve an important pedagogical purpose. A portion of Saint Mark’s Gospel read on All Saints’ Day is seen as crucial; it serves as a guide to holiness in its most distilled form.
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What Exactly Is a Saint?
According to Catholic teaching, a saint is an outstanding human being (or an angel) who lived a good life on Earth. Actions that are totally consistent with what Jesus of Nazareth preached. Some of the saints were martyred because of how dedicated they were to their religion. According to the Catholic canon, others have worked miracles as well. Of course, seeing a miracle or dying a martyr is not required to become holy.
Popes have been bestowing this level of sanctity through the beatification and canonization processes since the 13th century. It seems that people who have been canonized are those who have achieved everlasting bliss and are now at peace with God. The Catholic Church established a martyrology to honor the lives of its martyrs and assigns each saint a special day of the year on which to be prayed.
Both Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe that the communion of the saints of the Church Triumphant in heaven with the Church Militant or the Church of the Living, is unbroken. Christians believe in a form of solidarity that transcends place and time, a bond known as the communion of saints, which connects both the living and the dead (Church Penitent). If one subscribes to this doctrine, he or she may address the saints as if they were right by his or her side during All Saints’ Day.
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October 14, 2022