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<\/p>\nHalloween remains a difficult issue to address for Orthodox Christians. \u00a0The responses to it are reflective of the two ‘streams’ of Christian thought: \u00a0to separate from worldly activities, particularly those with pagan or anti-Christian roots, and those who believe Christians should be engaged, being salt in the world\u00a0to varying degrees depending on the circumstance.<\/p>\n
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ROCOR Hierarch Archbishop\u00a0Kyrill (Dmitrieff) in a very informative and detailed article<\/a> outlined the history of Halloween with its pagan, Celtic roots and practices, and strongly advises against participation in Halloween in any form. \u00a0Other Orthodox responses range from careful participation \u00a0(avoiding the pagan supernatural elements and ‘evil’ costumes, etc.) to the view that it is basically, in modern America, a secular ‘holiday’ with no deeper meaning other than having fun \u00a0(just another retailer ‘holiday’ to suck money out of the pockets of parents and party goers).<\/p>\n Halloween practices came to America\u00a0with colonists\u00a0from the British Isles but were strengthened in the 19th Century with the arrival of large numbers of Irish immigrants. \u00a0Pope Gregory IV established November 1 as the Feast of All Saints in an attempt to Christianize the pagan holiday of \u00a0Samhain that began on evening October 31 with \u00a0attempts to placate the supernatural spirits who were thought to be able to enter our world at this time of the beginning of Winter \u00a0(and ‘darkness’).\u00a0\u00a0Unlike the Christianization of the pagan festivals of the ‘Unconquered Sun’ (December 25, Nativity) and Eostre (to ‘Easter’), the attempt to Christianize Halloween (‘All Hallows\/All Saints Eve’) was not as successful. \u00a0In Celtic areas the pagan practices often coexisted with Christianity. \u00a0Over time, as with other Christian holy days, the pagan and secular spirit has overtaken them in the eyes of modern man.<\/p>\n Here are some examples of the evolution of practices: Carved Pumpkins Costumes: Modern Halloween is as much an adult holiday for parties and costumes as it is for children \u00a0(who have plenty of treats throughout the year and so Halloween is not the ‘big deal’ is used to be). \u00a0While immoral and demonic themes are mostly absent in children’s activities they are present in many adult parties and costumes.<\/p>\n Each Orthodox family has to choose how to approach Halloween today: \u00a0a carved pumpkin with a joyful face can symbolize the light of Christ that burns within us or it can be a pagan symbol to by shunned. \u00a0Dressing in positive (i.e. saints) or neutral costumes can be engaged in or the practice completely ignored. \u00a0‘Saints’ parties can be sponsored by parishes or it can be a regular night at home. \u00a0Just remember the words of Elder Ephraim of Arizona: “Be attentive, my child, that you not judge any soul. For God steps aside from the one who judges his neighbor, and he falls, in order to learn to have sympathy for his sick brother.”<\/p>\n Archbishop\u00a0Kyrill’s ‘The Joyous Feast of the Pumpkin”<\/a><\/p>\n
\n‘Trick or Treat’
\nPagan: offerings of food and drink were left outside doors to placate the angry spirits that roamed the night (a treat to avoid a trick)
\nChristian: ‘Soul cakes’ would be given to poor children who went to homes and promised to pray for the departed souls of the families<\/span>
\nToday: children go door to door to homes, businesses and sometimes parties to receive candy and other goodies<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPagan: frightening carved faces with candles inside these were used to ward off evil spirits that were roaming the night
\nChristian: superstitious Western Christians used them to light the way and ward off souls who rose during the night<\/span>
\nToday: \u00a0the pumpkin is the premier symbol of Halloween and has virtually no religious significance for most<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPagan: dressing up like vengeful spirits to \u00a0ward off real spirits or to get treats\u00a0appeared as a \u00a0practice in the British Isles around the 16th century
\nChristian: \u00a0parishes with no relics dressed up as saints in the Middle Ages; dance macabre celebrations\u00a0developed as a reminder of death<\/span>
\nToday: costumes of every variety are worn by children with little thought given to what they represent on a deeper level<\/span><\/p>\n