Not Just Halloween

On Oc‌t‌ober 31, much of America will observe the secular holiday of Halloween. In the United States, consumer spending for this holiday is second only to Christmas. But for Protestants worldwide, Oct‌ober 31 means much more than just Trick-or-Treat or ghost stories.

On this date in 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk who increasingly found himself at odds with many of the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, posted his 95 Theses (complaints) on the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg in Germany. This effectively launched the Protestant Reformation. In the church calendar, Octo‌‌ber 31 is known as Reformation Day and the Su‌nday before or on this date is known as Reformation Sun‌day.

Oct‌‌ober 31 is also known as All Hallows’ Eve, from which the word ‘Halloween’ comes from, as it is the evening before All Hallows’ Day (All Saints Day) on Nov‌e‌mber 1. The Sun‌day after or on No‌v‌ember 1 is known as All Saints Su‌nday, when the church commemorates the faithful that have gone before us.