Topic: Is it OK for Orthodox Christians to celebrate Halloween?

[drewmeister2]

every Christian outside the visible boundaries of the Eastern Orthodox Church is only a Christian by the grace given to the Eastern Orthodox Church.

I'm not sure that is quite how we would explain it.  Met. St. Philaret of NY (ROCOR) explained it well (although now I can't find the quote).  He said something to the effect that according to the strictest interpretation, all those who are heretics are not Christian.  However, he noted too that not everyone is a heretic per se.  Those that openly and vehemently and intentionally attack the Church cannot be called Christian, however, those who are just born into a non-Orthodox faith and are just following their religious leaders (Catholicism, Protestantism, etc) are not necessarily so much heretics and thus can be called Christians.   

[Ian Lazarus]

Aint this thread supposed to be about Spooks and sweets and whether we should suffer suckers who solicit our sweet stuffs on Samhain sourly?

I can understand the diversion from our prostestant friend, but still.  Lets get back to candy and costumes, m' cay? 

What I cant stand about the holday is the egging and toilet papering of trees and houses.  It never fails!  I bought a tarp this year to make sure that the damage won't be that bad.  It's not a very christian thought , I know, but it makes me want to become a paintball sniper for one night!

[Didymus]

Agree that this is getting off track and if we're to go further a new thread is warranted but if not then might I please say that I've heard Pope Shenouda says Protestants aren't Christians and Roman Catholics aren't in The Church although HH greatly desires Orthodox unity. Thank you.

[Αριστοκλής]

I understand. This thread is supposed to be about halloween. That's what I originally wrote about and it ended up turning into a different topic. Btw, I'm not Protestant.

 

A probable result of the merging of two closely related threads.

[Αριστοκλής]

Thread temporarily locked whilst moderator re-splits the thread (if hosting allows him).

Will re-open shortly

Αριστοκλής

New Topic (supposed to be) Orthodoxy and 'Non-Denominationalism':
http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,12988.msg178006/topicseen.html#msg178006

[Didymus]

Αριστοκλής , thank you however the new thread title has lots of "\\\\" for me. Is this an error?

[Αριστοκλής]

Αριστοκλής , thank you however the new thread title has lots of "\\\\" for me. Is this an error?

Yes, it was. How? I don't know...maybe the devil made me do it! 

[Nigula Qian Zishi]

Deacon Nikolai, how did you do that please?

Thank you and pray for me please.

(-: .noʎ ɹoɟ ʇı ʇɹǝʌuoɔ 11ıʍ ʇı puɐ 62242=pı_ʞuı1¿ɯɟɔ.ʞuı1_pǝɹoq/ɯoɔ.pǝɹoq-ɯɐ-ı.ʍʍʍ//:dʇʇɥ ʇɐ ǝʇıs qǝʍ ɐ oʇ buıob ʎq uʍop ǝpısdn ǝʇıɹʍ puɐ "ʇɐǝɥɔ" uɐɔ ǝuo 'sɹǝʇʇǝ1 ǝsoɥʇ ɹoɟ sǝpoɔ 8-ɟʇn ǝɥʇ ʍouʞ ʇou op noʎ ɟı 'snɯʎpıp

[Cephas]

+ Irini nem ehmot,

¡dɯıd sı sıɥʇ

[ozgeorge]

¡sbuıɥʇ uo ǝʌıʇɔǝdsɹǝd ʇuǝɹǝɟɟıp ɐ ǝuo sǝʌıb ʎ1uıɐʇɹǝɔ sıɥʇ

[Cephas]

¿dn ʍou uʍop sı ɹo uʍop ʍou dn sı os

'ʇoɯɥǝ ɯǝu ıuıɹı +

[minasoliman]

sʇɹnɥ pɐǝɥ ʎɯ

[PeterTheAleut]

Hey, the Cubs still have four games in which to win their three to put your D-Backs to rest and move on.

OK, I concede.  UNCLE!  You win.

[lubeltri]

OK, I concede.  UNCLE!  You win.

We're next. 

At least you guys are expected to lose!

[PeterTheAleut]

We're next. 

At least you guys are expected to lose!

Hey, at least you don't have to deal with those infernal bugs in Yankee Stadium.  Or do you?

"What do they live on when they can't get hobbit (or Yankee)?"

[lubeltri]

Hey, at least you don't have to deal with those infernal bugs in Yankee Stadium.  Or do you?

"What do they live on when they can't get hobbit (or Yankee)?"

Sigh . . . I will know that God is no longer a Yankee fan if that plague follows the team plane to New York.

I think we've still got a chance. If the offense breaks out against Cleveland's second tier, we may yet return to Lake Erie (may it freeze over!) for Game Five. That's if A-rod and company don't roll over first.

[Bono Vox]

I don't observe christmas anymore nor easter. That is one of the reasons why I went through the process of writing what I wrote.

Are you a Jehovah's witness?

[PeterTheAleut]

Are you a Jehovah's witness?

With such statements against JW teaching as in the following:

Therefore, if someone that is a Mormon or JW is saved, then they are saved through and through even though many Mormon and JW teachings are messed up.

I doubt it.

[Νεκτάριος]

Now the big question, Colorado or Philadelphia ?  Who are the Dbacks supposed to beat next? 

[PeterTheAleut]

Now the big question, Colorado or Philadelphia ?  Who are the Dbacks supposed to beat next? 

Colorado (def. Philly 2-1 to sweep the Phillies)

[Didymus]

(: ɹǝpun uʍop ɯoɹɟ ǝ1doǝd sn ɹoɟ 1ɐɯɹou sʞoo1 ʇı ʍou .ɥɔnɯ ʎɹǝʌ noʎ ʞuɐɥʇ

Orthodox Bagpiper, if you follow the links through to this person's blog there is a reference to the Feast of Tabernacles so it is likely that this lady is somehow linked to Armstron's movement or one of its offshoots. This may simply occur indirectly through contact with somebody who has been in contact with such teachings or it could be direct also.

If not, then this lady is simply zealously following the Holy Bible in a method as taught by many Protestant school and following those teachings through to their logical conclusions. The only other option would be if this lady is of those called Jews by birth. Nobody else (at least none I know of) keep the Feast of Tabernacles and refer to it in the way this lady does.

JWs on the other hand are supposed to celebrate nothing (except what they call "The Lord's evening meal").

[Simayan]

When adults dress up for Halloween...it's a little weird. But when 5 year old kids do it, I'm positive they're not honoring some pagan god.

I loved my trick-or-treating days, and so long as one doesn't do anything to hurt others, I see nothing wrong with it.

[calligraphqueen]

Anchovies on pizza?  BAH!   You haven't had pizza unless you've eaten one with smoked oysters on it.

How exactly does one smoke this bile filter of the seas?  Just sitting here picturing someone smoking an oyster is laughable.

As a descendent of practicing witches, and not the tree huggin kind, I don't bother with the ween. One of my earliest memories is of my grandmas laughing at 'christians' for celebrating such a 'holy' day to them. It has no true redeeming value. A little bit of fun aside for the littles is irrelevant, there are many things i can do with my children on that night-and without honoring a Jack Chick pamphlet either.  Since my fil works for Nestle, I don't skimp on the sugary no no's either.  It's just a pointless day when you break it down to its purpose. Like is there a genuine need for those specific activities?

[GiC]

How exactly does one smoke this bile filter of the seas?  Just sitting here picturing someone smoking an oyster is laughable.

Well, on this I actually agree with you, in part. It is absurd to smoke an Oyster. The Oyster is amongst most succulent and divine of foods, it is to be taken straight from the ocean, removed from its shell, and eaten raw and alive where you stand, marinated only in its own brine. It is a food that, for all our advances in the culinary arts, is impossible to improve upon. Its consumption in its natural state is a personal, emotional, sexual, spiritual, and culinary experience unlike any other. Sure, there maybe individual acts and foods that better excel at one of these characteristics, but none that combines them more fully.

[Νεκτάριος]

sexual

ummm... I don't think we eat food in the same manner. 

[Ian Lazarus]

"The Oyster is amongst most succulent and divine of foods, it is to be taken straight from the ocean, removed from its shell, and eaten raw and alive where you stand, marinated only in its own brine. It is a food that, for all our advances in the culinary arts, is impossible to improve upon. Its consumption in its natural state is a personal, emotional, sexual, spiritual, and culinary experience unlike any other. "

And they make great tennis balls.

[lubeltri]

ummm... I don't think we eat food in the same manner. 

Perhaps GiC has been watching too much Como Agua Para Chocolate! 

[GiC]

ummm... I don't think we eat food in the same manner. 

Apparently not, sounds like you need to learn to better enjoy your food...eating is one of the truly great pleasures in life, one of the few things that make life worth living.

[minasoliman]

Apparently not, sounds like you need to learn to better enjoy your food...eating is one of the truly great pleasures in life, one of the few things that make life worth living.

To me, it's not just about taste, but also about volume.  So if you're overweight, eating is definitely a burden 

[GiC]

To me, it's not just about taste, but also about volume.  So if you're overweight, eating is definitely a burden 

Sounds like you're not eating the right foods...a couple ounces of foie is just as satisfying as a 20 oz. steak (though just about as fattening, unfortunately).

[calligraphqueen]

since my endo system has been offline for so many years, and I can't burn a calorie to save my life anymore-I would have to vote for the steak over the foie.  Some things in life must be savored when all else is going to 'that place'
A steak done truly correct is a work of art, and is quite sensual when paired with certain other items...
haven't had breakfast yet so this morning will surely come up short now!

[Thomas]

Has this topic gone off topic? Are we now discussing  baseball and food?

Thomas

[Αριστοκλής]

Boredom...

[Ian Lazarus]

And apparantly hunger.  I could use a Deep Dish Pizza.

[Fr. George]

And apparantly hunger.  I could use a Deep Dish Pizza.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM... Pizza.


But seriously, folks.  Are we done here?  If so, let's not lengthen the thread with nonsense - go to the Random Postings thread for that.  Leave this to real discussion of Halloween.

[Αριστοκλής]

I agree...we're just 'talking among ourselves' (who else?) awaiting the debate to continue.

Unless we're done here...

[Ian Lazarus]

Okay.  So does having a pizza delivered on Haloween constitute a trick or a treat?

No, seriously!  I once read an article of a pizzeria that coveed it's pies in candy corn and had them distributed in fron to the car with the actual orders.  So they would pay for the pizza and get p.o.'d  seconds befroe the actual order arrived!

[minasoliman]

Okay.  So does having a pizza delivered on Haloween constitute a trick or a treat?

No, seriously!  I once read an article of a pizzeria that coveed it's pies in candy corn and had them distributed in fron to the car with the actual orders.  So they would pay for the pizza and get p.o.'d  seconds befroe the actual order arrived!

Nasty...candy corn and pizza don't go together

On the debate, I think we are done.  I mentioned that Halloween is no different essentially than going to the beach or acting or having quality time like video games or playing cards (or eating oysters... , except the sexual part).  That goes for Halloween or anything else.  Modesty is key.  All the mischief that goes on is obviously not condoned, and no one here partakes of some sort of pagan ritual either.

God bless.

[Fr. George]

Nasty...candy corn and pizza don't go together 

Candy Corn is disgusting.  I defer to Lewis Black's rant about it.

The worst thing about Halloween is, of course, candy corn. It's unbelievable to me. Candy corn is the only candy in the history of America that's never been advertised. And there's a reason. All of the candy corn that was ever made was made in 1911. And so, since nobody eats that stuff, every year there's a ton of it left over. And the candy corn company sends the guys to the villages and they collect out of the dumpsters all the candy corn we've thrown away. (pause, while audience is grossed out)They wash it!! They wash it!

I'll never forget the first time my mother gave me candy corn. She said, "Here - Lewis, this is candy corn. It's corn that tastes like candy". (high pitched sound) This tastes like doo-doo! And every year since then, Halloween has returned and I, like an Alzhiemer's patient, find myself in the room, and the room has a big table in it, and on the table is a bowl of candy corn. And I look at it as if I've never seen it before. "Candy corn", I think. "Corn that tastes like candy. I can't wait". (makes eating motion) Expletive!!

Maybe this is why we shouldn't celebrate Halloween - the Orthodox come from cultures with such rich culinary heritage, why celebrate a day with this disgusting candy?

[GabrieltheCelt]

  I mentioned that Halloween is no different essentially than going to the beach or acting or having quality time like video games or playing cards (or eating oysters... , except the sexual part).  That goes for Halloween or anything else.  Modesty is key. 

Just remember brother, not everyone will agree with this viewpoint (of which there are many). The above quote has an air of authority, which I'm sure you didn't mean to present.

 In Christ

 Gabriel

[GiC]

Just remember brother, not everyone will agree with this viewpoint (of which there are many). The above quote has an air of authority, which I'm sure you didn't mean to present.

 In Christ

 Gabriel

I don't agree, especially with that whole moderation thing (anything worth doing is worth doing to excess )...but you don't see me getting all uptight about it.

[GabrieltheCelt]

I don't agree, especially with that whole moderation thing

surprise, surprise 

[Bono Vox]

I wanted to wish you all a Happy Halloween!

[Ebor]

Princesses, winged fairies, pirates and super heros were popular this year. Also there were some nice animal costumes including a nifty sea-creature.  There were also some sports uniforms and an ice cream cone among the children at the elementary school Halloween parade.  Yes, some of the older (5th grade) boys went for spooky, but not lots of them. 

Our oldest (14) decided to go different with his pumpkin and put an "Eye of Sauron" on it.    But he didn't trick or treat himself.  Instead he took his little brother, who was a dinosaur, around to a few houses (his first time).  The neighbors thought it was very nice of him to do that and gave him some candy too.

Ebor

[Timos]

I actually encourage my sister to go out for Halloween. Whats the big deal?? The way I think about it, Halloween is a beautiful Christian feast (the Western Christian All Saints Day). My lil sister is not allowed to dress up as a goblin or anything ridiculous like a demon but its just a fun time for kids to have candy...theres not satanic element to it at all. Maybe we should stop celebrating Christmas as well...does anyone recall What Decemeber 25th or January 7th were before they became Christmas?? The winter solstice which was a huge pagan feast. If we can take something pagan and sanctify it then thats great!