www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Should we celebrate Hallowe'en?

Der-Ghazarian,

Halloween is just gone and it is gone for good. There is no sense in reclaiming it just as there is no sense in reclaiming the swastika from the Nazis. For Halloween let us just say good riddance and goodbye.

You mean St. Moses the Black of Egypt? Who said he was an Ethiopian? I always thought he was Nubian.

Dear Aklie,

Although I respect your freedom to think this... I have to tell you that you are asking me to deny a reality I am already experiencing.

I know of many, many Roman Catholic families in my area who ARE celebrating Halloween in accord with its true meaning. And its catching on more every year. And my five little dressed up "saints" wouldn't let me agree with you even if I wanted too. I have a St. Santoutk, St. Mesrob the Holy Translator, St. Queen Ashken wife of St. Tiridates, St. Gregory the Illuminator, and of course, every Armenian's Favorite: St. Thaddeus "First Enlightener" of Armenia. With a line up like that, how could I agree with you???
We just got back from our party for the Eve of the Holies i.e. Halloween) and the turn out was better than ever. Sorry, this is far to fun AND Orthodox to turn my back on.

Diak said:
"We have an alternate get-together with an ever-growing group and all of the kids dress up as saints... The kids have a great time and learn about some saints."

reply: That's exactly what I'm talking about. May God be glorified in His Angels and His Saints! A very holy Halloween to you all!

IN Christ's Illuminating Light,

Wm. Der-Ghazarian

Ok Ok, you hit my weak spot; I would hate to spoil the fun of five little Armenian saints. Considering that one of them is the Great St. Thaddeus then I will not complain. Please never tell them that I ever suggested for them not to participate in the Eve of the Holies. Let that be our secret.

Until our new Church building is complete we base our services inside a local Armenian Church. They invited a prominent Armenian pianist but I did not attend because of my dogmatic and irrational opposition to Halloween. Now after reading what kind of fun you had I really feel like I missed out, ouch.

Dear Friends,

Hallowe'en is also fast becoming the "Celtic New Year's Day" as well.

The Celtic American societies observe it as such, the beginning of the three month winter period of "Samhain" (pronounced "Soh-when").

And, Aklie, I've heard there are several pagan traditions that have been accepted and Christianized by the Tewahedo Church.

Could you discuss some of these?

Alex

Alex,

There have been pagan traditions or "survivals' in Tewahedo no doubt. Every ancient Christian Church has them and if you read my comments on the first page you would see that I am not against them. One of our oldest Churches in Yeha actually used to be a pagan temple in the last centuries before Christ.

I am opposed to Halloween because it is an overly commercialized swindle associated with demons, goblins, etc. Even if it was originally Christian so be it, the swastika at one time was considered a Cross (as well as a symbol by some tribal groups). If you go to Lalibela you can see a swastika carved into the church along with the other Crosses. This was done almost 1,000 years ago. If someone tried to do it again and "re-claim' today I would just have to spank them in public.

"Ok Ok, you hit my weak spot" -Aklie

I've got to admirer a man who's weak spot is children. This is a very Christ-like virtue! By the way, which Armenian Church do you borrow? I regret that I must warn you, brother, they might not be celebrating the version of Halloween I'm writing of (if you catch my meaning) .

In Christ's Light,

Wm. Der-Ghazarian

Aklie, it says "Moses the Ethiopian" on the icon copy we have - Was he Nubian or Ethiopian? Anyway, my son introduced himself as "Moses the Black". St. Moses reportedly had the same number of monks as he had robbers in his previous life before monasticism (75). Wonderful life. It was a great party.

Dear Friends:

At our house we regard Halloween as just the Carnival of the feasts of "All Saints" and "All Souls"(we piously honour both), nothing more, nothing less.

If people were to regarded it in just that same light then all of this other business about it's "dark side" would have no validity.

Anyhow, the kids love it.

defreitas

It is true, well, Mexicans commemorate the "day of the deads" today 2 Nov, and yesterday (All saints day according to the old Catholic Calendar) the tradition states that it's the day of the dead children.
More than a religious practice, it is very much a cultural tradition. These days, in the small towns people put their "ofrendas" (offerings), an altar with picture of the one who is commemorated, some religious images, yellow flowers (called Zempazuchitl), and traditional food, and traditional sweets such as sugar skulls and chocolate skulls. In the small towns people are still supersticious and it's believed that the dead relatives will come to have a meal.
The tradition is now encouraged by the authorities in schools and universities, each classroom makes its own "ofrenda" and contests are performed.
Halloween things have also penetrated and some have got mixed with the deads day, so you'll find little boys in the streets door to door asking for their "calaverita" (their little sugar skull)