Millions of Christians celebrate All Saints' Day in the Philippines
On 1 November, most of the Christian world celebrates All Saints' Day. While this feast is most widely celebrated in Europe, few people are aware that there is a country in Asia where millions of Christians pay homage to the saints on this day: the Philippines.
Millions of Christians celebrate All Saints' Day in the Philippines
Culture and Innovation

Millions of Christians celebrate All Saints' Day in the Philippines

Photo: Jam Sta Rosa/AFP
Eruasia 01/11/2024 11:31

On 1 November, most of the Christian world celebrates All Saints' Day. While this feast is most widely celebrated in Europe, few people are aware that there is a country in Asia where millions of Christians pay homage to the saints on this day: the Philippines.

The Philippines is the only country in Asia with a Christian majority, where more than 86 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Additionally, 6 percent belong to various nationalised Christian sects, while another 2 percent are affiliated with over 100 Protestant denominations.
Jam Sta Rosa/AFP
In the Philippines, millions flocked to cemeteries on Friday to observe the annual tradition of visiting the tombs of their loved ones. Thousands were seen at the Manila North Cemetery in the capital, offering flowers and candles to be placed at the graves of their deceased relatives, as reported by AP. All Saints' Day has become a family reunion for many Filipinos, who keep vigil at the tombs of their ancestors.
Ted Aljibe/AFP
While now observed in November, All Saints' Day was originally celebrated on 13 May, although its exact origins cannot be definitively traced. Pope Boniface IV formally initiated what would later be known as All Saints' Day on 13 May 609 AD when he dedicated the Pantheon in Rome as a church in honour of the Virgin Mary and all martyrs. The current date of 1 November was established by Pope Gregory III during his reign (731–741 AD) when he dedicated a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in honour of all saints. Initially, this celebration was limited to Rome; however, in 837, Pope Gregory IV ordered the official observance of All Saints' Day on 1 November and extended its celebration to the entire Church.
#Philippines #All Saints' Day
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