Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1,2
Many people around the globe are facing persecution and death because of their faith. Terrorism, inhumane attacks on Israel, and our nation’s deterioration of Judeo-Christian standards cause concern. If the time comes, would we have the courage to face martyrdom for our faith?
According to Open Doors World Watch Trends, 5,621 Christians were martyred last year. Christians killed in 2023 numbered 80% more than five years ago (3,066).
Considering martyrdom is a harrowing prospect that prompts a myriad of emotions. Yet, it also finds comfort in the unshakable faith evidenced by those who’ve gone before.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Plate VII, Death of Cranmer.
November 1 marks a significant event called All Saints’ Day, a time for Christians to remember and honor the martyrs throughout history. Considering the state of our world and the call to commitment in the face of adversity, this blog post will delve into the history of All Saints’ Day, exploring its roots, evolution, and significance for believers today.
Remembering Early Christina Martyrs
The history of All Saints’ Day can be traced back to the early Christian era when martyrdom was a common occurrence. Stephen, the first martyr in the New Testament book of Acts, is described as full of God’s grace and power, performing great signs and wonders. While being stoned by unbelievers, he said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 6:8-7:60).
Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna in the 2nd century, was a disciple of the apostle John and a faithful defender of the apostles’ teachings against early heretics. When Christians were interrogated and required to bow before the Roman emperor and renounce Christ, if they refused, they were brutally executed. Polycarp was bound and burned at the stake, but then stabbed as the fire failed to consume his body.
William Tyndale (1494-1536) was an English theologian and scholar who translated the New Testament into English. In 1536 the Church of England considered him a heretic. He was strangled and burned at the stake. His famous last words were, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.”
Another significant Reformer, Thomas Cranmer (1489-1536), the Archbishop of Canterbury, authored the book of Common Prayer, still used by many Christians today. Cranmer was arrested and tried for heresy under Queen Mary and burned at the stake in 1536.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), a German pastor and theologian who opposed the Nazi regime’s persecution of Jews, was executed for plotting the death of Adolf Hitler. He was hanged on April 9, 1945, at a POW camp, just days before the end of World War II. His last words, “This is the end—for me, the beginning of life.”
Countless others throughout history have suffered martyrdom for their allegiance to God. The early Church recognized the significance of honoring martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice, and All Saints’ Day was born.
Early Christian Martyrs and the Need for Commemoration
The Feast of All Martyrs was practiced in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition and eventually made its way to the Western Christian calendar. This early commemoration laid the foundation for the concept of honoring all saints.
A most significant step in the development of All Saints’ Day came during the reign of Pope Boniface IV. In the 7th century, he consecrated the Pantheon in Rome, a pagan temple, into a Christian church dedicated to the martyrs. Today, it’s known as the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs.
The Shift to November 1st
The date of All Saints’ Day was initially celebrated on various dates. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory III officially designated November 1 as the universal date for All Saints’ Day to Christianize the pagan festivities of Samhain at the end of the harvest season.
Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), a pagan festival, celebrated on October 31 between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Deceased ancestors were invited to visit the living during their festivities. To avoid unwanted attention from the supernatural, masks and costumes were used to disguise oneself from wandering spirits. These customs and traditions influenced the Western world’s Halloween practices in a more secular and commercialized form.
The Spread of All Saints’ Day
Over time, All Saints’ Day spread throughout the world. Today, it is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, often marked by church services, lighting candles, and remembering those who gave their lives for the cause of the gospel.
The Importance of All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day is both a historical tribute and a celebration of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their unwavering faith in the promise of eternal life bestowed by God. It echoes the words of the apostle Paul to young Timothy; “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).
In moments of reflection, we ponder: Would we, like these martyrs, be willing to lay down our lives for our faith? All Saints’ Day reminds us that we stand for something greater than life itself—our profound faith in the gospel. Following the example of Jesus, who bore the weight of our sins while innocent and sinless, we are reminded by 1 John 3:16, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
As Hebrews says, because “we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
The “great cloud of witnesses,” the martyrs, offered their lives for us. In gratitude for their sacrifice, we are inspired to live with the same unwavering dedication and determination for the gospel’s sake. Our heartfelt prayer remains that the Lord’s return comes before the need for such selfless sacrifice reaches our shores. In the meantime, we treasure the memory of those who bravely stood for their faith, and we, too, fix our eyes on Jesus as we run the race marked out for us.