Holy Day of Obligation: THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS-W (I) – Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

The feast of All Saints achieved great prominence in the 9th century, in the reign of the Byzantine Emperor, Leo VI “the Wise” (886-911). His wife, Empress Theophano – commemorated on 16 December – lived a devout life. After her death in 893, her husband built a church, intending to dedicate it to her. When he was forbidden to do so, he decided to dedicate it to “All Saints,” so that if his wife were in fact one of the righteous, she would also be honored whenever the feast was celebrated. According to tradition, it was Leo who expanded the feast from a commemoration of All Martyrs to a general commemoration of All Saints, whether martyrs or not.