By Alek Rybczynski, CFP's Poland Reporter ——Bio and Archives--November 1, 2024
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All Saints' Day is a unique holiday in Polish Christian and spiritual tradition. It is the equivalent of the Canadian Remembrance Day, but has a more universal character--it is dedicated to the memory of all the deceased, who are remembered by all loved ones.
Although today this holiday has not only a religious character, and some circles even try to secularize its origins, calling it “Deceased Day" the roots of this tradition are definitely Catholic. It was in 935 that Pope John XI officially established November 1 as the day of celebrating All Saints' Day throughout the Catholic Church.
In Poland, these........