Christian Education

November 2026

Celebrating the Communion of Saints: The Roots and Meaning of All Saints' Day

As we approach the beginning of November, our church calendar invites us to pause for a special observance: All Saints' Day. It is a time when we look back across the generations, honoring the faithful who have gone before us and reflecting on our place within the "great cloud of witnesses."

The roots of All Saints' Day reach back into the early centuries of the Church. Initially, it began as a commemoration of martyrs—those who had given their lives for their faith during times of persecution. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV established a feast day to honor these saints, and by the 8th century, the celebration had expanded to include all those who had attained eternal life. By the year 835, Emperor Louis the Pious solidified November 1st as a holy day across the Frankish Empire, a date that has remained the standard in many traditions ever since.

In the PC(USA), All Saints’ Day is a chance to celebrate the communion of saints: the way we belong to God’s people across generations. We remember those who have died, give thanks for the ways they cared for us and shared their faith, and reflect on how their example continues to encourage us. It’s not about praying to the saints, but about giving thanks to God for the people who have shown us something of God’s love.

At Providence Presbyterian Church, we can use this day to remember the people who helped make our church what it is—and the family members, friends, and mentors whose faith still lives on in us. As we name and remember them, we are reminded that we are part of a much bigger story, and that we don’t walk it alone. We walk in the footsteps of many who have gone before us, and together with them, we continue the work of the Kingdom.

Blessings to you and your family,

Rosie Robinson