Meaning

     All Saints' Day is a universal Christian Feast that honors and remembers all Christian Saints, known and unknown. In the Western Church (especially, Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Anglicans) it is celebrated on November 1.

Historical perspective

    In the early days Christians were accustomed to honor the anniversary of a person who died while serving the mission of the Christ (the mission of spreading His teachings). Such a person was called a martyr. As time went by, the number of martyrs grew and a separate day could not be assigned to each. However, the Church felt that every martyr should be honored and appointed a common day for all. Pope Gregory III (731-741) dedicated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the Saints (martyrs) and fixed the anniversary for November 1. In 837 Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration on November 1 to the entire Church.

Definition of a Saint

    There is much debate between Christian denominations about who should be considered a Saint. As per the Science of Spirituality, a Saint is defined as someone with a spiritual level of at least 70%. (This is measured on a scale of spiritual progress that considers nonliving elements at 0.5% spiritual level and those who have merged completely with the God principle at 100% spiritual level.) Sainthood is not a title or degree to be conferred upon, but a spiritually high state of existence.

The importance of Saints and Gurus in our lives

    Saints and Gurus are the manifest form of the unmanifest God principle. Without a Guru's grace (Gurukrupa) it is difficult to progress beyond the spiritual level of 60%, no matter which path one practices.

Celebration

    As mentioned above, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans celebrate All Saints Day. Owing to their differing understandings of the identity and function of Saints, what these churches do on the Feast of All Saints differs widely. All Saints Day is most commonly celebrated as a day to remember God and thank Him, and to honor and pray to the Saints Who have renounced Their bodies.

    For Lutheran Christians, the day is observed by remembering and thanking God for all Saints, both dead and living. It is a day to glorify Jesus Christ, Who through His holy life and renunciation of the body, serves as the eternal reminder of surrender to God.