This major festival of the church goes back to the 7th Century, when the ancient Roman Pantheon was re-dedicated as a church honoring the Virgin Mary and all Martyrs.  The original date was in May,  later moved to November 1.  The focus of All Saints Day (also called All Hallows Day) was on remembering the Christian dead.  From this grew up a collection of folk customs, particularly on the eve of All Saints Day (also called All Hallows Eve, or Hallows Even, or Hallowe’en), involving costumes, trick or treating, and carving pumpkins.  The folk holiday, which supports lucrative commerce in candy and costumes, is now more prominent in popular culture than All Saints Day itself, but the original meaning of All Saints Day remains:  to remember the Christian dead, especially martyrs who died for their faith.  St. Barnabas will celebrate All Saints Day this evening at 7:00 p.m.  All are welcome.