The Feast of All Saints, originally dedicated to the martyrs, achieved great
prominence in the ninth century, in the reign of the Roman Emperor Leo VI the
Wise (886-911). His wife, the Holy Empress Theophano (commemorated on December
16) lived in the world, but was not attached to worldly things. She was a great
benefactor to the poor, and was generous to the monasteries. She was a true
mother to her subjects, caring for widows and orphans, and consoling the
sorrowful. Theophano devoted most of her days to prayers, psalms and hymns to
God. She was reportedly the builder or patron of the Monastery of Saint
Anastasia the Protector from Potions (Hagia Anastasia Pharmakolytria) in Halki
island, the second largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near
Constantinople.
Even before the death of St. Theophano in 893 or 894, her husband start
ed to
build a church, intending to dedicate it to Theophano, but she forbade him to
do so. It was this emperor who decreed that the Sunday after Pentecost be
dedicated to All Saints. Believing that his wife was one of the righteous, he
knew that she would also be honored whenever the Feast of All Saints was celebrated.
According to tradition, it was Leo who expanded the feast from a commemoration
of All Martyrs to a general commemoration of All Saints, whether martyrs or
not.
