Holy Innocents' Day facts for kids
Holy Innocents is a special day celebrated on December 28. It remembers a sad event from the past: the killing of young male children in Bethlehem. This event is told in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible.
The story says that Herod the Great, who was the king, ordered these children to be killed. He did this because he heard that a new "King of the Jews" had been born in Bethlehem. He wanted to stop this new king from growing up and taking his place.
It is not known exactly when the church began celebrating this day. The first time this day was mentioned as a celebration was in the year 485.
Contents
Understanding the Story of Herod
Herod the Great was a powerful king who ruled Judea, which included Bethlehem, a long time ago. When he heard about a new king being born, he felt threatened. He was worried someone would take his throne.
Why Herod Acted This Way
Herod was known for being very suspicious and sometimes cruel. He wanted to keep his power at all costs. The Bible says he tried to trick wise men into telling him where the new king was. When they did not, he became very angry.
The Order in Bethlehem
Because he did not know exactly where the new king was, Herod ordered all male children in Bethlehem and the areas around it, who were two years old or younger, to be killed. This was a terrible act meant to remove any possible threat to his rule.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
10th-century illuminated manuscript showing the event.
-
Triumph of the Innocents by William Holman Hunt.
-
The scream from Ramah, a 2001 stamp from the Faroe Islands.
_001.jpg)
