(First Sunday after Pentecost)
All Saints Sunday, celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, is a significant feast in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), honoring all the saints—known and unknown—who have been sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit throughout the history of the Church. It is a continuation of the celebration of Pentecost and a reminder that the goal of the Christian life is holiness, made possible by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
This feast affirms that sainthood is not limited to a select few, but is the calling of every baptized Christian. The saints are those who fully cooperated with God’s grace, becoming living icons of Christ, and now serve as intercessors and examples for the faithful on earth.
The placement of All Saints Sunday immediately after Pentecost emphasizes that the gifts of the Holy Spirit bear fruit in lives of holiness. It is also a celebration of the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) who surround and support the Church through their prayers and spiritual legacy.
During the Divine Liturgy, hymns and readings focus on the courage, faith, and perseverance of the saints, and the faithful are encouraged to seek their intercession and imitate their virtues. It is also a day to reflect on the universal call to holiness and to renew one’s commitment to live as a true disciple of Christ.
All Saints Sunday begins a series of commemorations in the UGCC calendar, with the following Sundays dedicated to specific groups of saints, including the Local Saints of Kyivan Rus’ and Ukrainian Martyrs.
