Editing All Souls' Day (section)

== Observance by Christian denomination ==
===Western Christianity===
[[File:Jakub Schikaneder - All Souls' Day.jpg|thumbnail|''All Souls' Day'', painting by [[Jakub Schikaneder]], 1888]]

====History====
In [[Western Christianity]],  there is ample evidence of the custom of praying for the dead in the inscriptions of the [[catacomb]]s, with their constant prayers for the peace of the souls of the departed and in the early liturgies, which commonly contain commemorations of the dead. Tertullian, Cyprian and other early Western Fathers witness to the regular practice of praying for the dead among the early Christians.{{sfn|Cross|Livingstone|2005|p=459}}

In the sixth century, it was customary in Benedictine monasteries to hold a commemoration of the deceased members at Whitsuntide. In the time of [[St. Isidore of Seville]] (d. 636) who lived in what is today Spain, the Monday after Pentecost was designated to remember the deceased. At the beginning of the ninth century, Abbot [[Eigil of Fulda]] set 17 December as commemoration of all deceased in part of what is today Germany.{{sfn|MacDonald|1967|p=119}}

According to [[Widukind of Corvey]] (c. 975), there also existed a ceremony praying for the dead on 1 October in Saxony.{{sfn|Mershman|1907}} But it was the day after [[All Saints' Day]] that Saint [[Odilo of Cluny]] chose when in the 11th century he instituted for all the monasteries dependent on the [[Abbey of Cluny]] an annual commemoration of all the faithful departed, to be observed with alms, prayers, and sacrifices for the relief of the suffering souls in purgatory. Odilo decreed that those requesting a Mass be offered for the departed should make an offering for the poor, thus linking almsgiving with fasting and prayer for the dead.{{sfn|Butler|1990|p=12}}

The 2 November date and customs spread from the Cluniac monasteries to other Benedictine monasteries and thence to the Western Church in general.{{sfn|McNamara|2013}} The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Liège|Diocese of Liège]] was the first diocese to adopt the practice under [[Notker of Liège|Bishop Notger]] (d. 1008).{{sfn|Mershman|1907}} 2 November was adopted in Italy and Rome in the thirteenth century.{{sfn|MacDonald|1967|p=119}}

In the 15th century the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]]s instituted a custom of each priest offering three Masses on the Feast of All Souls. During World War I, given the great number of war dead and the many destroyed churches where Mass could no longer be said, [[Pope Benedict XV]], granted all priests the privilege of offering three Masses on All Souls' Day.{{sfn|Saunders|2003}}

====Roman Catholicism====
[[File:Skogskyrkogården at All Saints Day 2010-2.jpg|thumb|left|All Saints' Day at Skogskyrkogården in Stockholm. The graves are lighted with votive lights.]]

If 2 November falls on a Sunday, All Souls' Day is observed on that day. In the [[Liturgy of the hours]] of All Souls' day the sequence ''[[Dies irae]]'' can be used ad libitum. Every priest is allowed to celebrate three holy Masses on All Souls' Day.

In [[Divine Worship: The Missal]], used by members of the Anglican Ordinariates, the minor propers (Introit, Gradual, Tract, Sequence, Offertory, and Communion) are those used for Renaissance and Classical musical [[requiem]] settings, including the [[Dies Irae]]. This permits the performance of traditional requiem settings in the context of the Divine Worship Form of the Roman Rite on All Souls' Day as well as at funerals, votive celebrations of all faithful departed, and anniversaries of deaths.<ref>''Divine Worship: The Missal'', pp. 871–875, 1024–1032</ref>

In the ordinary form of the Roman Rite, as well as in the [[Personal Ordinariates]] established by [[Benedict XVI]] for former Anglicans, it remains on 2 November if this date falls on a Sunday;<ref>''Roman Missal'', "The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed", and "Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar", 59</ref><ref>''Divine Worship: The Missal'', "Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)", p. 871</ref> in the 1962–1969 form of the [[Roman Rite]], use of which is still authorized, it is transferred to Monday, 3 November.<ref>''Missale Romanum'' 1962, ''Rubricæ generales'', "De dierum liturgicorum occurentia accidentali eorumque translatione", 96b</ref>

According to the sacred tradition of the Catholic Church, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8, it is possible to gain plenary [[indulgence]] for the benefit of the souls of the departed who are in [[Purgatory]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bookofheaven.com/prayers/plenary-indulgence-nov-1-8/|title=November 1 to 8: Plenary Indulgence for the Deceased|date=2 November 2018 }}</ref>

=====All Souls' indulgences=====
According to the ''Enchiridion of Indulgences'', a [[Indulgence#Plenary indulgences|plenary indulgence]] applicable only to the souls in purgatory (commonly called the [[poor souls]]) is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery (graveyard) and [[prayer for the dead|pray for the dead]].<ref name="Seton2024">{{cite web |title=Plenary Indulgences for All Souls Week and the Month of November |url=https://seton-parish.org/plenary-indulgences-for-all-souls-week-and-the-month-of-november |publisher=St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref> The plenary indulgence can be gained between the second and ninth days of Allhallowtide (November 1–8); a partial indulgence is granted on other days of the year.<ref name="Seton2024"/> In order to gain the plenary indulgence, the Christian must have received [[Confession (religion)#Christianity|confession and absolution]] and the [[eucharist]] twenty days before or after visiting the graveyard, in addition to praying for the intentions of the Pope.<ref name="Seton2024"/>

A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the poor souls, can be obtained by visiting a church, chapel or oratory on All Souls Day and praying the [[Lord's Prayer]] there, along with the [[Apostle's Creed]], [[Athanasian Creed]] or [[Nicene Creed]]. Alternatively, Christians can pray the Lauds or Vespers of the [[Office of the Dead]] and the [[Eternal Rest]] prayer for the dead.<ref name=EnchIndul /><ref name=catholic.org />

====Lutheran churches====
[[File:Alla helgons dag vid Röke kyrka-1.jpg|A [[churchyard|graveyard]] outside a [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] church in the Swedish city of [[Röke]] during Allhallowtide|250px|thumb|right]]
Among continental Lutherans, its tradition has been more tenaciously maintained. During [[Martin Luther (religious leader)|Luther's]] lifetime, All Souls' Day was widely observed in [[Saxony]] although the Roman Catholic meaning of the day was discarded;{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} ecclesiastically in the [[Lutheran Church]], the day was merged with and is often seen as an extension of All Saints' Day, with many Lutherans still visiting and decorating graves on all the days of Allhallowtide, including All Souls' Day.{{sfn|Markussen|2013|p=183}} In the Lutheran Churches, "the whole people of God in Christ Jesus" are seen as saints and All Souls Day commemorates those believers who have died as the 'faithful departed'.<ref name="Joyocala"/> Just as it is the custom of [[French people]], of all ranks and creeds, to decorate the graves of their dead on the ''jour des morts'', [[German people|Germans]] come to the graveyards on All Souls' Day with offerings of flowers and special grave lights.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

====Anglican Communion====
[[File:Leichhardt All Souls Anglican Church.JPG|right|thumb|[[All Souls Anglican Church, Leichhardt|All Souls Anglican Church]] in the [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Diocese of Sydney]], a parish dedicated to All Souls]]

In the [[Church of England]] it is called The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed and is an optional celebration; Anglicans view All Souls' Day as an extension of the observance of All Saints' Day and it serves to "remember those who have died", in connection with the theological doctrines of the [[Resurrection of the dead|resurrection of the body]] and the [[Communion of Saints]].{{sfn|Bays|Hancock|2012|p=128}}{{sfn|Armentrout|Slocum|1999|p=7}}

In the [[Anglican Communion]], All Souls' Day is known liturgically as the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed, and is an optional observance seen as "an extension of All Saints' Day", the latter of which marks the second day of [[Allhallowtide]].{{sfn|Armentrout|Slocum|1999|p=7}}{{sfn|Dickison|2014}} Historically and at present, several Anglican churches are dedicated to All Souls. During the [[English Reformation]], the observance of All Souls' Day lapsed, although a new Anglican theological understanding of the day has "led to a widespread acceptance of this commemoration among Anglicans".{{sfn|Michno|1998|p=160}} Patricia Bays, with regard to the Anglican view of All Souls' Day, wrote that:{{sfn|Bays|Hancock|2012|p=128}}

{{blockquote|All Souls Day … is a time when we particularly remember those who have died. The prayers appointed for that day remind us that we are joined with the [[Communion of Saints]], that great group of Christians who have finished their earthly life and with who we share the hope of [[Resurrection of the dead|resurrection from the dead]]. |source={{harvnb|Bays|Hancock|2012|p=128}}}}
As such, Anglican parishes "now commemorate all the faithful departed in the context of the All Saints' Day celebration", in keeping with this fresh perspective.{{sfn|Armentrout|Slocum|1999|p=7}} Contributing to the revival was the need "to help Anglicans mourn the deaths of millions of soldiers in [[World War I]]".{{sfn|English|2004|p=4}} Members of the [[Guild of All Souls]], an [[Anglican devotional society]] founded in 1873, "are encouraged to pray for the dying and the dead, to participate in a requiem of All Souls' Day and say a Litany of the Faithful Departed at least once a month".{{sfn|Armentrout|Slocum|1999|p=232}}

At the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] the celebration of All Souls' Day was fused with [[All Saints' Day]] in the [[Church of England]]<ref name=Episcopal /> or, in the judgement of some, it was "deservedly abrogated".{{sfn|BCP|1850}} It was reinstated in certain parishes in connection with the [[Oxford Movement]] of the 19th century<ref name=Episcopal/> and is acknowledged in United States Anglicanism in the ''Holy Women, Holy Men'' calendar<ref name=Episcopal/> and in the Church of England with the 1980 ''[[Alternative Service Book]]''. It features in ''[[Common Worship]]'' as a [[Lesser Festival]] called "Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day)".<ref name="churchofengland">{{cite web |title=Lesser Festivals |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/lesser-festivals |website=The Church of England |access-date=3 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205224537/https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/lesser-festivals |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Reformed churches====
Certain [[Calvinism|Reformed]] (Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist) churches observe All Souls Day.<ref name="TOI2012"/> In All Souls Day observances by the Reformed Churches, the theological doctrine of "the Christian belief in bodily resurrection and eternal life" is emphasized, along with a remembrance of the faithful departed.<ref name="Deshpande2023"/> Additionally, dead are remembered on the feast of [[Totensonntag]] (Totenfest), the last Sunday before [[Advent]]. It was introduced in 1816, in [[Prussia]], and in addition to the Reformed, it is observed by Lutherans in addition to Allhallowtide, particularly in areas with a large Germanic presence.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndr.de/geschichte/chronologie/Totensonntag-Welche-Bedeutung-hat-der-stille-Gedenktag,totensonntag104.html | title=Totensonntag: Welche Bedeutung hat der stille Gedenktag? | access-date=19 June 2023 | archive-date=19 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619094133/https://www.ndr.de/geschichte/chronologie/Totensonntag-Welche-Bedeutung-hat-der-stille-Gedenktag,totensonntag104.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

====Methodist churches====
In the [[Methodist Church]], [[Saints in Methodism|saints]] refer to all [[Christians]] and therefore, on [[All Saints' Day]], the [[Church Universal]], as well as the deceased members of a [[local congregation]] are honoured and remembered.{{sfn|Hileman|2003}}{{sfn|Peck|2011}} In Methodist congregations that celebrate the liturgy on All Souls' Day, the observance, as with Anglicanism and Lutheranism, is viewed as an extension of All Saints' Day and as such, Methodists "remember our loved ones who had died" in their observance of this feast.<ref name=sheringhammethodist.org.uk />

===Eastern Catholic, Eastern Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox===
{{Main|Saturday of Souls}}

[[File:Soul Saturday Kollyva offerings.jpg|right|thumb|Kollyva offerings of boiled wheat blessed liturgically on Soul Saturday (''Psychosabbaton'')]]
[[Saturday of Souls]] (or Soul Saturday) is a day set aside for the commemoration of the dead within the [[liturgical year]] of the [[Eastern Orthodox]], Eastern Lutheran and Byzantine Catholic Churches.<ref name="Economic2022"/> Saturday is a traditional day of prayer for the dead, because Christ lay dead in the [[Holy Sepulchre|Tomb]] on Saturday.<ref name="GOArch">{{cite web |title=Saints and Feasts: Saturday of Souls |url=https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=1017&PCode=MEATSA&DT=02/22/2020 |website=www.goarch.org |publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |access-date=6 November 2020 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418141452/https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=1017&PCode=MEATSA&DT=02/22/2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

These days are devoted to prayer for departed relatives and others among the faithful who would not be commemorated specifically as saints. The [[Divine Services]] on these days have special hymns added to them to commemorate the departed. There is often a [[Panikhida]] (Memorial Service) either after the [[Divine Liturgy]] on Saturday morning or after [[Vespers]] on Friday evening, for which [[Koliva]] (a dish made of boiled wheatberries or rice and honey) is prepared and placed on the Panikhida table. After the Service, the priest blesses the Koliva. It is then eaten as a memorial by all present.<ref name="orthodoxpath">{{cite web |author=Panteleimon of Antinoes |title=Saturday of the Souls |url=https://www.orthodoxpath.org/catechisms-and-articles/saturday-of-the-souls/ |website=The Orthodox Path |access-date=6 November 2020 |date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020062026/https://www.orthodoxpath.org/catechisms-and-articles/saturday-of-the-souls/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Radonitsa====
{{Main|Radonitsa}}
Another Memorial Day in the East, Radonitsa, does not fall on a Saturday, but on either Monday or Tuesday of the second week after Pascha (Easter).<ref name="Averky">{{cite web |title=The Liturgics of Archbishop Averky |url=http://www.holytrinitymission.org/books/english/liturgics_averky_e.htm#_Toc104768210 |website=www.holytrinitymission.org |access-date=6 November 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726153144/http://www.holytrinitymission.org/books/english/liturgics_averky_e.htm#_Toc104768210 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bulgakov Handbook">S. V. Bulgakov, ''Handbook for Church Servers'', 2nd ed., 1274 pp. (Kharkov, 1900), pp. 586–589. Tr. by Archpriest Eugene D. Tarris © 2007.</ref> Radonitsa does not have special hymns for the dead at the Divine Services. Instead a Panikhida will follow the Divine Liturgy, and then all will bring paschal foods to the cemeteries to greet the departed with the joy of the Resurrection.<ref name="Averky"/>

===East Syriac tradition===
East Syriac churches including the [[Syro Malabar Church]] and [[Chaldean Catholic Church]] commemorates the feast of departed faithful on the last Friday of [[Epiphany season]] (which means Friday just before start of [[Great Lent]]).<ref name=nasranifoundation.org /> The season of Epiphany remembers the revelation of Christ to the world. Each Friday of Epiphany season, the church remembers important evangelistic figures.<ref name=syromalabarchurch.in />

In the [[Syro Malabar Church]], the Friday before the parish festival is also celebrated as feast of departed faithful when the parish remembers the activities of forebears who worked for the parish and faithful. They also request the intercession of all departed souls for the faithful celebration of parish festival. In East Syriac liturgy, the church remembers departed souls including saints on every Friday throughout the year since the Christ was crucified and died on Friday.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}