Feast of Holy Innocents in Western Christianity Date in the current year: December 28, 2024

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod the Great, King of Jews, ordered a massacre of all young male children in the vicinity of Bethlehem to avoid the loss of his throne. The number of infants that were killed is unknown, but all of them are commemorated as Holy Innocents.

The feast of Holy Innocents is also known as Childermas or Children's Mass. Various traditions, that are not related to the church service, are known in many countries around the world. In Spain, the Philippines and Hispanic America the feast is celebrated with the pranks. The victims of the pranksters shouldn't be angry with them, because they are “inocentes” and committed no sin. Newspapers, TV and radio also very often participate in the celebration of the feast and give fake content.

Some nations regard Childermas as one of the most unlucky days in the year, that is why new projects are not started.