Synaxis of All Saints
The date changes each year; in 2026 it is observed on June 7.
Dates follow the calendar tradition used by this project. Parishes using the new calendar celebrate fixed feasts on different civil dates.
The Sunday after Pentecost is dedicated to all the saints: those known to the Church and those known only to God. The feast celebrates the many ways people have borne witness to Christ through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Meaning of the feast
The Synaxis of All Saints gathers into one commemoration every person who has attained holiness: saints remembered by name and those whose names are known to God alone. Its place immediately after Pentecost is meaningful. The descent of the Holy Spirit reveals that human beings may be raised above their fallen condition and grow in holiness. The feast therefore points to the fruit of the Spirit’s work in real human lives. Saints have come from every region and every age. Their circumstances differed greatly, yet they were brought to perfection by the same Holy Spirit and sought faithfulness to Christ.
History and scriptural background
The source indicates that this observance may have begun early as a remembrance of all martyrs. Over time, it came to include men and women who witnessed to Christ through virtuous lives without shedding their blood. Liturgical hymnography names six groups: Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, Hierarchs, Monastic Fathers, and the Righteous. Confessors, who boldly confessed Christ and faced the danger of execution without being put to death, are understood in spirit as belonging with the martyrs. The feast gained particular prominence in the ninth century, during the reign of Emperor Leo VI. The source connects the dedication of the Sunday after Pentecost to All Saints with his wish to honor the righteous Empress Theophano, who had cared for the poor, widows, orphans, and monasteries.
Spiritual meaning today
All Saints Sunday shows that holiness is not limited to a single calling. Apostles proclaimed the Gospel; martyrs remained faithful in persecution; hierarchs guided their flocks by teaching and example; monastics devoted themselves to prayer; and the righteous pursued holiness while living in the world. This feast does not ask people to measure themselves against others. Rather, it invites a steady response to God’s grace in one’s own circumstances: prayer, courage, mercy, repentance, and practical care for neighbors. It also gives thanks for the hidden faithful whose lives may be unknown to history but are not forgotten by God.
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Sources: Orthodox Church in America