With the feast of Pentecost and the Monday of the Holy Spirit, the Pentecostarion period is officially closed. The first Sunday after the Pentecostarion period is always dedicated to all the Saints, from the time of Adam and Eve until our present day. The Church has millions of Saints, most of whom are unknown. Why? Well, one reason is that we just do not know their names. Even in the books of the Church that detail the Saints lives (called Synaxarion / Συναξάρια), their names are not mentioned because we do not know them. Therefore, the Church selected this day that every single Saint—known and unknown, famous or not—be celebrated.
We should also remember that we are also called to be Saints! Whenever St. Paul used to write to Christians, he used to write to them as the “Saints of Ephesus” or the “Saints of Thessaloniki.” “Saints” are people that are walking step-by-step towards the Kingdom of Heaven. No Saint was ever perfect; however, they repented deeply and sincerely for their sins and are now with God in His Kingdom. We can do the same, by living a Christ-centred and sacramental life and by being with Him always.
This feastday is also dedicated to people who have no specific Name Day celebration during the year. We wish them Χρόνια Πολλά!
Apolytikion
Your Church, O Christ our God, clothed itself in the blood of Your martyrs from throughout the world, as though it were a robe of linen and purple; through them, she cries out to You, “Send down upon Your people compassion, grant peace to Your commonwealth, and to our souls, great mercy.”
Kontakion
As the first-fruits of our nature to the Planter of created things, the world presenteth the God-bearing martyred Saints in off’ring unto Thee, O Lord. Through their earnest entreaties, keep Thy Church in deep peace and divine tranquillity, through the pure Theotokos, O Thou Who art greatly merciful.