October 31, 1517 • Luther Posted His 95 Theses
“...on this day, October 31, 1517, he posted a list of 95 propositions on the church door in Wittenberg. In his day, this was the means of inviting scholars to debate important issues....”
http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2003/10/daily-10-31-2003.shtml
“...He chose the eve of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), because this was one of the most frequented feasts, and attracted professors, students, and people from all directions to the church, which was filled with precious relics....”
http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/history/7_ch03.htm (§32)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/95_Theses
November 1, Annual • All Saints' Day
“....Hallow, in Old English, means "holy" or "sacred." Therefore, "Hallows' Eve," or "Halloween" simply means "the evening of holy persons" and refers to the evening before All Saints Day, which is this day, November 1 on both Anglican and Catholic calendars. Halloween is a mixture of Celtic religious ideas and Christian martyrology.
In the early years when Rome persecuted Christians, so many martyrs died for their faith, that the Church set aside special days to honor them. For example, in 607 Emperor Phocas presented to the pope the beautiful Roman Pantheon temple. The pope removed the statues of Jupiter and the pagan gods and consecrated the Pantheon to "all saints" who had died from Roman persecution in the first three hundred years after Christ. Many bones were brought from other graves and placed in the rededicated Pantheon church. Since there were too many martyrs for each to be given a day, they were lumped together into one day. In the next century, All Saints Day was changed by Pope Gregory III to today's date--November l. People prepared for their celebration with a night of vigil on Hallows' Eve -- Halloween (possibly because of the strong holdover influence of the Celtic Samhein festival which many Christians in Ireland, Britain Scotland and Wales had continued to observe)....”
http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2003/11/daily-11-01-2003.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints_Day
November 2, Annual • All Souls” Day
“...In the 10th century, Abbot Odela of the Cluny monastery added the next day--November 2nd--as "All Souls" Day" to honor not just the martyrs, but all Christians who had died. People prayed for the dead, but many unchristian superstitions continued. Food was often offered to the dead--as it had been in pagan times. It was also believed that on these two days, souls in purgatory would take the form of witches, toads, or demons and haunt persons who had wronged them during their lifetime. As happens so often in Church history, sacred Christian festivals can absorb so many pagan customs that they lose their significance as Christian holidays. ....”
http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2003/11/daily-11-01-2003.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Souls%27_Day
“Readings.....
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 or 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 ...“
http://satucket.com/lectionary/AllSouls.htm
“Episcopal reading:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 OR 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 ...“
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/all_souls.htm
......................
1 Thessalonians 4,
16: ...........and the dead in Christ
shall rise first:
17: Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18: Wherefore comfort one another
with these words.
...........................
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus