Allhallowtide,
Hallowtide,
Allsaintstide, or the
Hallowmas season, is the
triduum encompassing the
Western Christian observances of All Saints' Eve (
Halloween),
All Saints' Day (All Hallows') and
All Souls' Day, which last from October 31 to November 2 annually. Allhallowtide is a "time to remember the dead, including
martyrs,
saints, and all faithful departed Christians." The present date of
Hallowmas (All Saints' Day) and thus also of its vigil (Hallowe'en) was established for Rome perhaps by
Pope Gregory III (731-741) and was made of obligation throughout the
Frankish Empire by
Louis the Pious in 835. Elsewhere, other dates were observed even later, with the date in Ireland being 20 April. In the early 11th century, the modern date of All Souls' Day was popularized, after Abbot
Odilo established it as a day for the monks of Cluny and associated monasteries to
pray for the dead.