On November 1, Roman Catholics throughout Slovakia observe All Saints' Day - a day on which people gather in churches and cemeteries to pray for relatives who have passed away. The history of the All Saints' holiday goes back to the beginning of the 7th century, when Pope Boniface IV converted the pagan Pantheon in Rome into a Christian church. In the 8th century Pope Gregory III declared November 1 to be All Saints Day. November 1 has been celebrated in Slovakia as a public holiday since 1994.
In the 10th and 11th centuries, All Souls Day or the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed was introduced to follow All Saints Day. It's based on the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, which states that the souls of the faithful who at death have not been cleansed from venial sins or have not fully atoned for mortal sins cannot yet attain the beatific vision but may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. On November 2, priests usually appeal to people to repent and to strive to avoid sin. According to older customs, in the night of 1st-2nd November a part of dinner is left on the table and candles are lit on tombs. The laying of wreaths and flower decorations belong to more recent traditions.
