Holy Innocents Day

Holy Innocents Day is dedicated to children—the first martyrs who were killed by order of Herod, as described in the New Testament. To honor these innocent lives, the Catholic Church observes this holiday on December 28.

History

According to tradition, the Magi came to the birthplace of Jesus, and Herod the Great, the ruler of Judea, tried to discover where Christ was but received no answer. In response, the king ordered all male babies up to two years old in Bethlehem to be killed.

The theologian Theophylact of Bulgaria argued that this act was allowed by divine providence to reveal the true nature of Herod. Other sources report large numbers of deaths, though the exact figure remains unknown. Church traditions claim there were either 14,000 or 64,000 infants killed.

Renaissance artists depicted the horror and grief of the event in vivid paintings, often showing mothers’ anguish and Herod’s indifference. The earliest mosaics depicting this tragedy date to the 5th century, though they did not show explicit violence.

Interesting Facts

• Holy Innocents Day became a church holiday in the 5th century.
• This day is considered the saddest of the year—innocent children were the first to suffer for Jesus. According to tradition, Joseph, the husband of Mary, was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt, which saved Jesus.
• The massacre was foretold by the prophet Jeremiah.

How to Take Part

Dedicate the day to children: play with them, give treats, and spend time showing your love. Refrain from scolding them for mischief—let them enjoy the day! Attend a church service and remember the young martyrs.

When is Holy Innocents Day in 2025?

Holy Innocents Day is observed on December 28 each year.

Observations