June 4, 2026 From Our Batushka. От Батюшки. Feast of All Saints

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Dear brothers and sisters,

On the first Sunday after Pentecost, the Church celebrates the memory of All Saints. Immediately after the Day of the Holy Trinity and the Day of the Holy Spirit, the Church shows us the living fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work in the human person: holiness.

Pentecost revealed the life of the Church to the world. The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, strengthened them, enlightened them, and made them witnesses of Christ. Yet the work of the Holy Spirit was not limited to the apostolic age. It continues in the life of the Church to this very day. The saints are the clearest testimony that the grace of God truly transforms the human person.

On this day, we remember all the saints: known and unknown, glorified by the Church and hidden from human memory — apostles, martyrs, hierarchs, monastics, righteous ones, fools-for-Christ, right-believing rulers, and all those who, in the different circumstances of life, remained faithful to God.

The Feast of All Saints reminds us that holiness is not something distant or unreachable. It is not a path only for monks, martyrs, or great ascetics. Holiness is the goal of the Christian life. Every person is called to live with God, to purify the heart, to love, to forgive, to repent, to remain faithful to Christ, and to fulfill the Gospel in the circumstances in which he or she lives.

This is why the Feast of All Saints stands immediately after Pentecost. The Church, as it were, says to us: this is what the Holy Spirit accomplishes in the human person. He does not merely give comfort or inspiration. He sanctifies, heals, transforms, and makes a person able to live according to God and His commandments.

It is especially important that on this day we remember not only the great and well-known saints. We also remember those whose names are known only to the Lord. These are people who lived by faith, patience, love, and prayer — perhaps unnoticed by the world, but precious before God.

May the Sunday of All Saints help us remember all the saints of God with gratitude and see in their lives not only an example to admire, but also a calling for each of us. The Holy Spirit, who worked in them, continues to work in the Church today. Each of us is called to open our heart to this grace.

Through the prayers of All Saints, who from all ages have pleased God, may the Lord strengthen us on the path of salvation.