The Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints

Icon of All Saints. Photo: open sources

On June 15, 2025, the Orthodox Church observes the Feast of All Saints – a special celebration established in honor of all God's saints, both those glorified and those known only to Him. It is a day when every Orthodox Christian, regardless of their name, may consider it their name day.

The first Sunday after Pentecost holds a special place in the Church calendar, marking the commemoration of all saints. On this day, the Church honors not only canonized saints but also all the righteous ones whose holiness is known to God alone.

The Feast of All Saints is among the oldest in the Christian liturgical tradition, dating back to the late 4th or early 5th century. A homily by St. John Chrysostom survives in which he commemorates “all the saints who suffered throughout the world,” already pointing to a feast day corresponding to the modern celebration.

In the early Church, this feast was celebrated on various dates. Eventually, the Studite and later the Jerusalem Typicons assigned the commemoration of all saints to the first Sunday after Pentecost.

Liturgical Significance

The Feast of All Saints marks a transitional point in the Church’s liturgical year. The cycle of hymns from the Pentecostarion ends, and the cycle of the Octoechos (Book of Eight Tones) begins. During Matins on this day, the reading of the "Eleven Resurrectional Gospels" (the "pillar" of Matins) commences.

The Monday following the feast begins the liturgical reading of the Epistle to the Romans and the Gospel of Matthew. It also marks the beginning of the Apostles' Fast (Sts. Peter and Paul Fast). The hymnography of the feast is rich in poetic imagery: the saints are called “unfading lights,” “divine clouds,” and the Church is adorned with their blood “as with purple and fine linen.”

Traditions of the Feast

On this day, the faithful are especially fervent in prayer, reading the lives of the saints and reflecting on the spiritual feats of God’s righteous ones. Many Orthodox families use the occasion to teach children about their patron saints and the examples of Christian life.

It is also a wonderful opportunity to greet all relatives, friends, and acquaintances on their name day, since today, everyone celebrates their Angel Day. The Feast of All Saints also ushers in a new season in the Church calendar – a time of summer fasting and spiritual preparation for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

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