After all the trick or treating has finished and the over-the-top Halloween costumes have been put away, a holy day for many Christians across the world begins.

While many are more familiar with the Mexican traditions of the Day of the Dead,  All Saints Day also celebrates the spiritual bond between those in heaven and the living.

Here’s everything you need to know about it:

The Christian festival that honours all saints and martyrs falls straight after Halloween on November 1 every year – this year , 2017, the day falls on a  Wednesday.

What is it and why do Christians celebrate it?

Acknowledging the way Church triumphant and Church militant are linked together, the believers attend church on this sacred day.

 Although Saints have been a Christian tradition since the fourth century AD, all martyrs were not remembered until 609AD (CE)

Pope Boniface IV introduced the beginnings of this long standing tradition. 

Originally the celebrations were held on May 13 and it was known as Feast of All Holy Martyrs. But in 837 AD the date was changed to November 1 - as it remains today. Pope Gregory IV moved the date of the festival to commemorate all of the saints. He changed the name of the holiday to Feast of All Saints.