As a newly arrived child immigrant to this country, I thought Halloween was God’s greatest gift to children. I would go around knocking at neighbors’ doors, utter some nonsense about trick or treat, and the nice neighbors gave me candy. “What a country!” I thought to myself. These are the words of Fr. Malek Rihani of St. Mary Orthodox Church in Palos Hts., Illinois fifty years after his arrival in the US.
Let us agree that it can be fun trick-or-treating under proper supervision, children enjoy dressing in costume, and they like taking part in what all others are doing. They are affected by social customs, especially when very young. That in itself is positive.
“Hallow” is an ancient form of “holy,” and “een-even” means “eve,” thus Halloween is the eve of all saints. This celebration of ‘All Saints’ or ‘Halloween’ was originally celebrated by Christians on the first Sunday following Pentecost. But it is believed that in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1st in an effort to neutralize the pagan celebration, and use that opportunity to remind people that when it comes to issues of death, the focus should be pleasing God while alive, rather than appeasing the devil after death.
Currently as celebrated in America, Halloween seems to recall the ancient pagan religion brought from England, having originated from the Celtic end-of-harvest festival of the dead.
It is interesting to see the children dress in different costumes, clowns, storm troopers, queens, princesses, cowboys, football players and even hoboes. But how does it help to dress children in grotesque costumes and frighten others or to be scared and humiliated? We realize there are examples of bullying, brutality, mocking and disgraceful behavior in our schools and neighborhoods, but that cannot be acceptable behavior for Orthodox Christian young people.
To be dignified, decent, and polite is the attribute of one made in the image of God.
We Orthodox Christians have always honored our dead, especially those who have so selflessly committed their life for God’s glory. These holy men and women are known as “Saints” – or ‘hallowed’ people, who have proven throughout their life – and in many cases, even in their death – that they have impacted humanity and brought people closer to God.. Although Halloween is not an Orthodox tradition, it still touches our soul deeper than we’d like to admit. The very essence of the word ‘Halloween’ is ‘holiness’ (that’s what ‘hallow’ means, as in the Lord’s Prayer).
The Church considers Halloween a secular event, and thus there is no spiritual or historical connection to our Orthodox traditions.
