For All the Saints

Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs
Tempera on wood, Fra Angelico, 15th Century

Before the observance of Hallowe'en entered North American popular culture in the early 1900s, steadily being incorporated into darker forms of observance, it was (and still is, in some quarters) an annual Christian celebration of All Hallows' Eve, or the evening before All Hallows' Day, known now to us as All Saints' Day or simply "All Saints".   The latter, and the day following -- All Souls' Day -- are the second and third day of the three day (triduum) known as Hallowmas, a time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs and dearly departed Christian believers (souls).

In observance of All Saints this year, our weekly Friday Evensong will be a celebration of Eucharist using the rite in the Book of Common Prayer.  Do join us in remembrance as we raise our voices in the old familiar hymn...

(Note: Please let the video load completely to avoid 'skips', and please forgive the short advertisement at the beginning.  The voices are the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.  Tune: Sine Nomine by Ralph Vaughan Williams.)