Holy Innocents Day - December 28th, 2024
The Forgotten Feast of Holy Innocents Day December 28th may seem like just another day after Christmas, but for many Christians around the world, it's a special day to commemorate the first Christian martyrs - the innocent children massacred by King Herod the Great in his attempt to kill the baby Jesus. Yes, you read that right - Holy Innocents Day is a real holiday, and it's more than just a footnote in the Christmas story! The historical background of Holy Innocents Day dates back to the 1st century, when King Herod, feeling threatened by the prophecy of a newborn King of the Jews, ordered the execution of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two. This brutal act, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (2:16-18), led to the martyrdom of countless innocent children, making them the first Christian martyrs. Today, Holy Innocents Day is observed on December 28th, and while it may not be as widely celebrated as Christmas or Easter, it still holds significant imp...