Is it OK for Orthodox Christians to celebrate Halloween?

[Alveus Lacuna]

The ancient Vesperal Hymn of the Church, "O Gladsome Light", is "Fos Ilaron" in Greek, and "ilaron" is where we get the English word "hilarious" from. Also "St. Euphrosyne" and "St. Euphrosynos", derive their names from "evfroseni" meanining "cheerfulness".

But neither of these point toward any kind of trite amusements.  Gladness, cheerfulness and hilarity are all wonderful emotions from God, but often with "fun" people are referring to distractions or activities which arouse the passions.

[simplygermain]

The ancient Vesperal Hymn of the Church, "O Gladsome Light", is "Fos Ilaron" in Greek, and "ilaron" is where we get the English word "hilarious" from. Also "St. Euphrosyne" and "St. Euphrosynos", derive their names from "evfroseni" meanining "cheerfulness".

But neither of these point toward any kind of trite amusements.  Gladness, cheerfulness and hilarity are all wonderful emotions from God, but often with "fun" people are referring to distractions or activities which arouse the passions.

What He Said! 

[Ebor]

Well, "trite amusements" is rather a value judgement, maybe.  A small child, happy with his/her costume and being an elephant or a princess or a rocketship or a hobbit or elf or ear-of-corn or any of a myriad of dress-up outfits would be to me, glad and cheerful. 

[Schultz]

The ancient Vesperal Hymn of the Church, "O Gladsome Light", is "Fos Ilaron" in Greek, and "ilaron" is where we get the English word "hilarious" from. Also "St. Euphrosyne" and "St. Euphrosynos", derive their names from "evfroseni" meanining "cheerfulness".

But neither of these point toward any kind of trite amusements.  Gladness, cheerfulness and hilarity are all wonderful emotions from God, but often with "fun" people are referring to distractions or activities which arouse the passions.

Kind of like anonymous internet messageboards where it's incredibly easy to hop on one's high horse and act like you're so far above the rabble who indulge in petty internet arguments because one knows that one is here for purely dispassionate reasons.

[ozgeorge]

The ancient Vesperal Hymn of the Church, "O Gladsome Light", is "Fos Ilaron" in Greek, and "ilaron" is where we get the English word "hilarious" from. Also "St. Euphrosyne" and "St. Euphrosynos", derive their names from "evfroseni" meanining "cheerfulness".

But neither of these point toward any kind of trite amusements.  Gladness, cheerfulness and hilarity are all wonderful emotions from God, but often with "fun" people are referring to distractions or activities which arouse the passions.

You mean like drinking alcohol?
Because thats what Psalm 103:15 in the LXX says when it ususes the word "euphraine" from which we get "euphrosynos":
"And wine which gladdens (euphraine) the heart of man".
So this pious, God-given, gladness of heart of which you speak comes to us through wine.
 

Kind of like anonymous internet messageboards where it's incredibly easy to hop on one's high horse and act like you're so far above the rabble who indulge in petty internet arguments because one knows that one is here for purely dispassionate reasons.

LOL!

[simplygermain]

^ You got me there, sir. I submit to your irrefutably, indefineable reasoning. I shall post no more.

[Alveus Lacuna]

Kind of like anonymous internet messageboards where it's incredibly easy to hop on one's high horse and act like you're so far above the rabble who indulge in petty internet arguments because one knows that one is here for purely dispassionate reasons.

Well it's not very fun climbing on a high horse when people just knock you down!   

[Robb]

Just so everybody knows, I was talking about "puritanical" in regards to Americas religious past, not Christianity in general.

[Riddikulus]

Just so everybody knows, I was talking about "puritanical" in regards to Americas religious past, not Christianity in general.

It appears to me that though the West might be the source of "puritanical" rules and external correctness within Christianity this attitude is not absent from some Orthodox circles. The more I understand Orthodoxy (and I'm no expert), the more I think of this as being something superimposed and foreign to Orthodoxy. On the other hand, I could be completely wrong.    

[Robb]

All religions have groups of people within them who are very legalistic and "Puritanical".  Just loo at the Hasidim Jews or Wahhabi Muslims.  I'm sure even a group as far out as the Unitarians have some type of "inner circle" of strict adherent's to whatever it is they exactly believe these days.

[simplygermain]

All religions have groups of people within them who are very legalistic and "Puritanical".  Just loo at the Hasidim Jews or Wahhabi Muslims.  I'm sure even a group as far out as the Unitarians have some type of "inner circle" of strict adherent's to whatever it is they exactly believe these days.

Just look at B'Hai!

[sprtslvr1973]

I posted a thread asking if anyone around here ever questioned the celebration of Christmas as some Protestants regard it as a continuation of pre-Christian pagan holiday. Anyone want to share?

[Vladik]

Of course "No"
It's foolishly

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I posted a thread asking if anyone around here ever questioned the celebration of Christmas as some Protestants regard it as a continuation of pre-Christian pagan holiday. Anyone want to share?

On this thread, no. I will share what I have to say about that subject on that thread, so as to keep this one about Halloween.

Anyone interested in that thread should follow this link:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,24745.0.html

[ozgeorge]

Here's a pumpkin carving idea for this year:

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

I personally hate the holiday.  kids dress up as monsters and parade around, asking for candy?  I think it's a bit dangerous, for starters, for children to go door-to-door for treats.  who knows if their tampered with?  what if the child is stolen from the porch by the homeowner?  also, I know it's a Pagan holiday, so I don't see why any Christian, Jew or Muslim should celebrate it.  I think it's OK to add some superstition and cultural trends to Church feast days, such as Christmas (Santa, elves, presents, etc.) 

and this is just a personal one.  But every Holloween, my sister goes with her friends, my mother goes to bed early, and I'm left to hand out candy!  last year, I just wanted to read a good book, and I kept getting interrupted by "trick or treat". 

for religous reasons, I don't think it's apropreate for Orthodox Christians to celebrate Halloween.  it's interesting the way our culture is... we get 2 weeks off for Christmas, but, at school, nobody has ever even heard of Holy Theophany!  and my priest says that we should try to take time off of school and work to come to Church on this day.

[rakovsky]

Just so everybody knows, I was talking about "puritanical" in regards to Americas religious past, not Christianity in general.

Popularity of Halloween might have to do with puritannicalism of widespread Calvinism (ie. the funamentalists see the world in absolutes- 100% assurance of being saved, etc), and also lack of the mystical in mainstream/Calvinist/agnostic America. It's a combined reaction against those two.

The reaction might be natural, but could be sign of illness.

Pagan holiday like jumping over fires that still happens in Russia. At least we don't dress up as monsters around Christmas and Easter like some European countries. (eg. French Christmas where demon whupped little kids unfortunate enough to have violent, antagonistic parents instead of Santa bringing presents, or Austria where they have a holiday where big bullies dress up as monsters, even today, and whoop young people.) Much much worse sign of illness IMO.

[Irish Hermit]

Halloween!

Be pro-active!

Reclaim the night!


Icons and candles on your porch!    If you have the opportunity and a front porch, set up some icons.  Have candles burning.  Christmas lights twinkling if you like.   Invite the little Halloween boys and girls to light a candle themselves.  Give them the sweets and also small paper icons.   The ones from Russia these days are very attractive to children.


Open your church!   For many years as a parish priest I opened the church on the night of Halloween after Vespers.  I lit every lamp and every candle and made it a magic place of God's presence.  I had every outside light burning to make it a welcoming place.    And people would come in.....  with their children dressed as ghosties and ghoulies.  Who knows what impact that special night and a visit to a beautiful and mysterious Christian church will have in the years to come.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

Halloween!

Be pro-active!

Reclaim the night!


Icons and candles on your porch!    If you have the opportunity and a front porch, set up some icons.  Have candles burning.  Christmas lights twinkling if you like.   Invite the little Halloween boys and girls to light a candle themselves.  Give them the sweets and also small paper icons.   The ones from Russia these days are very attractive to children.


Open your church!   For many years as a parish priest I opened the church on the night of Halloween after Vespers.  I lit every lamp and every candle and made it a magic place of God's presence.  I had every outside light burning to make it a welcoming place.    And people would come in.....  with their children dressed as ghosties and ghoulies.  Who knows what impact that special night and a visit to a beautiful and mysterious Christian church will have in the years to come.

AMEN!



Selam

[Ionnis]

Thank you Father Ambrose for that post!  Wonderful! 

[Asteriktos]

[genesisone]

About an hour ago, I emailed my priest (yes, he will see it) to ask if we should come in costume on Sunday  . I suggested we could all come dressed as our patron saints.

(I don't usually pull his leg like that, so I'm a bit fearful he will spend an hour or two wondering if I'm serious!)

If Halloween is a fun time for kids, it can be quite harmless. Certainly in my neighbourhood, it's an occasion for parents and kids to be out together where they meet and make friends.

Like just about anything else, moderation is the key. It can easily get out of hand. Lots of things happen that the non-Orthodox (even non-Christians) don't approve of.

[Schultz]

we hates you!

[Papist]

Yeah, I had a feeling that this thread would be coming back.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

(I may have already posted, but I'd like to do so again).

Halloween, for me, was never a big deal.  I loathed buying costumes which I'd decide I hated half-way out of the store.  I got SO COLD trick-or-treating, but it was a bit fun. 

now, I just give the rugrats candy, and then say my prayers and go to bed.  I only do this because my mother celebrates it, and probably won't once I'm on my own.

religously, no, I don't think we should celebrate a pagan holiday that has NOTHING to do with Christianity, what-so-ever.

(well, perhapse if I do whar Fr. Ambrose suggests with the icons on the porch!)

[Marc1152]

My wife, now reposed loved Halloween. She dressed up like a witch and played spooky music out the window and decorated the outside of the house. Halloween makes me a little sad remembering all that.

Something strange happend this year. She used make a neclace for her costume out of chicken bones. She would collect a few and put them in the diswasher with the silverware to get them clean enough to wear.

I found a chicken bone Saturday in the silverware tray of the dishwasher. I asked the family if anyone put it there. They looked at me like I was crazy. No one had. I went ahead and washed it.

The funny thing is that I was to attend a funeral Sunday ( Halloween) for a friend's Dad who just passed. Same cemetery as where my wife is.  I dont go there often. I'm not one for visiting her grave.

Anyway. Just thought I'd share this for what it's worth.   

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

This is what I did for Halloween this year:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,30894.0.html



Selam

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

My wife, now reposed loved Halloween. She dressed up like a witch and played spooky music out the window and decorated the outside of the house. Halloween makes me a little sad remembering all that.

Something strange happend this year. She used make a neclace for her costume out of chicken bones. She would collect a few and put them in the diswasher with the silverware to get them clean enough to wear.

I found a chicken bone Saturday in the silverware tray of the dishwasher. I asked the family if anyone put it there. They looked at me like I was crazy. No one had. I went ahead and washed it.

The funny thing is that I was to attend a funeral Sunday ( Halloween) for a friend's Dad who just passed. Same cemetery as where my wife is.  I dont go there often. I'm not one for visiting her grave.

Anyway. Just thought I'd share this for what it's worth.   

memory eternal!

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

My wife, now reposed loved Halloween. She dressed up like a witch and played spooky music out the window and decorated the outside of the house. Halloween makes me a little sad remembering all that.

Something strange happend this year. She used make a neclace for her costume out of chicken bones. She would collect a few and put them in the diswasher with the silverware to get them clean enough to wear.

I found a chicken bone Saturday in the silverware tray of the dishwasher. I asked the family if anyone put it there. They looked at me like I was crazy. No one had. I went ahead and washed it.

The funny thing is that I was to attend a funeral Sunday ( Halloween) for a friend's Dad who just passed. Same cemetery as where my wife is.  I dont go there often. I'm not one for visiting her grave.

Anyway. Just thought I'd share this for what it's worth.   

memory eternal!

Amen. Memory Eternal!

A very interesting story. You should call up George Noory or Art Bell on Coast to Coast AM and share this story!


Selam

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

My wife, now reposed loved Halloween. She dressed up like a witch and played spooky music out the window and decorated the outside of the house. Halloween makes me a little sad remembering all that.

Something strange happend this year. She used make a neclace for her costume out of chicken bones. She would collect a few and put them in the diswasher with the silverware to get them clean enough to wear.

I found a chicken bone Saturday in the silverware tray of the dishwasher. I asked the family if anyone put it there. They looked at me like I was crazy. No one had. I went ahead and washed it.

The funny thing is that I was to attend a funeral Sunday ( Halloween) for a friend's Dad who just passed. Same cemetery as where my wife is.  I dont go there often. I'm not one for visiting her grave.

Anyway. Just thought I'd share this for what it's worth.   

memory eternal!

Amen. Memory Eternal!

A very interesting story. You should call up George Noory or Art Bell on Coast to Coast AM and share this story!


Selam

ah, yes! just stay away from those Sylvia Brown types....shell probably say that your wife is moving things around your home to get some gruesome message to you!

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

My wife, now reposed loved Halloween. She dressed up like a witch and played spooky music out the window and decorated the outside of the house. Halloween makes me a little sad remembering all that.

Something strange happend this year. She used make a neclace for her costume out of chicken bones. She would collect a few and put them in the diswasher with the silverware to get them clean enough to wear.

I found a chicken bone Saturday in the silverware tray of the dishwasher. I asked the family if anyone put it there. They looked at me like I was crazy. No one had. I went ahead and washed it.

The funny thing is that I was to attend a funeral Sunday ( Halloween) for a friend's Dad who just passed. Same cemetery as where my wife is.  I dont go there often. I'm not one for visiting her grave.

Anyway. Just thought I'd share this for what it's worth.   

memory eternal!

Amen. Memory Eternal!

A very interesting story. You should call up George Noory or Art Bell on Coast to Coast AM and share this story!


Selam

ah, yes! just stay away from those Sylvia Brown types....shell probably say that your wife is moving things around your home to get some gruesome message to you!

Exactly. Call up Coast to Coast, share this remarkable story, but make sure to end it with Orthodox Truth!


Selam

[GabrieltheCelt]

Yeah, I had a feeling that this thread would be coming back.

It's my gift to the community that keeps on giving.  Ha ha! 

[Nigula Qian Zishi]

Here is a pretty balanced and factual take on the holiday(s) of this time. http://ecumenicalbuddhism.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-saints-day-all-souls-day-lemuria.html

[Asteriktos]

It's about that time of year again...

[William]

I signed up to volunteer at the Zoo for their Halloween party (kids trick or treat outside the animal exhibits) before I found out that Orthodoxy generally frowns on Halloween. Should I cancel?

[NicholasMyra]

One of the litmus tests I gave my priest was asking him whether or not he let his children trick-or-treat when they were young.

He answered rightly. 

[Ionnis]

I have never celebrated Halloween.  I went to a Halloween party once when I was 23 or so, but I didn't dress up.  I'm kind of indifferent to the holiday.  I prefer to celebrate All Saints Day the next day.  We have a large Hispanic population where I live, so there are a lot of celebrations for the dead on that day or the weekend preceding the actual holiday which are fun and generally respectful. 

[minasoliman]

One of the litmus tests I gave my priest was asking him whether or not he let his children trick-or-treat when they were young.

He answered rightly. 

My priest disagrees with me on this one, but he is still amazing in that he loves me.

[Riddikulus]

I signed up to volunteer at the Zoo for their Halloween party (kids trick or treat outside the animal exhibits) before I found out that Orthodoxy generally frowns on Halloween. Should I cancel?

  There is Jack Chick brouhaha surrounding this event every year, even though the holiday has Christian connections. Nevermind, what some people within Orthodoxy frown upon. What do you think?

[orthonorm]

This is what I did for Halloween this year:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,30894.0.html



Selam

Stand guard vigilantly for toilet paper being thrown amongst the branches of your trees.

[William]

I signed up to volunteer at the Zoo for their Halloween party (kids trick or treat outside the animal exhibits) before I found out that Orthodoxy generally frowns on Halloween. Should I cancel?

  There is Jack Chick brouhaha surrounding this event every year, even though the holiday has Christian connections. Nevermind, what some people within Orthodoxy frown upon. What do you think?

Why would I disregard what my future coreligionists think?

I'll tell you what I think. I think that the consensus amongst the Orthodox (besides the people who make fun of 'hyperdox' and 'LARPers' on this forum) that I've seen is that Halloween is not something that an Orthodox Christian should participate in. I'm trying to see if economy could be applied in my case since I obliged myself to be involved before I knew that I shouldn't be.

[orthonorm]

I have never celebrated Halloween.  I went to a Halloween party once when I was 23 or so, but I didn't dress up.  I'm kind of indifferent to the holiday.  I prefer to celebrate All Saints Day the next day.  We have a large Hispanic population where I live, so there are a lot of celebrations for the dead on that day or the weekend preceding the actual holiday which are fun and generally respectful. 

Sorta embarrassing to see adults dressing up for Halloween. Halloween is hitting Europe hard. Just the sexy adult variety. Nothing for the kids.

But I can bob for apples like no one else.

I was drugged to a Halloween party / concert once. You had to dress up to get in. But they didn't seem to really care.

Ended up meeting a long term GF there. All because of bobbing for apples.

Boy do I wish I had stayed home, like I usually do.

But it would be cool to have the parish open as Father suggested above. I would definitely hang.

[IsmiLiora]

I prefer to celebrate All Saints Day the next day.  We have a large Hispanic population where I live, so there are a lot of celebrations for the dead on that day or the weekend preceding the actual holiday which are fun and generally respectful. 

We do the same thing!

I don't quite know when I have kids. I went trick-or-treating myself as a child, and didn't ascribe anything religious to it. I just wanted candy. For right now, I'm thinking about drawing the line at holding any parties for the kids at the house or such, but if they are having a party at school, they can dress up. I love dressing up and I know how exciting it was to wear a costume during classes all day.

Ahh, such a hard line to draw. I don't feel militant enough about Halloween, I guess. I'm ambivalent. But I am not a big fan of the day either.

I want to ask my priest now, just to see what he thinks. I have a sneaking suspicion that his kids went out trick-or-treating, but that's just a guess.

[Ionnis]

I have never celebrated Halloween.  I went to a Halloween party once when I was 23 or so, but I didn't dress up.  I'm kind of indifferent to the holiday.  I prefer to celebrate All Saints Day the next day.  We have a large Hispanic population where I live, so there are a lot of celebrations for the dead on that day or the weekend preceding the actual holiday which are fun and generally respectful. 

Sorta embarrassing to see adults dressing up for Halloween.

Sorta (very) embarrassing to see adults bobbing for apples. ;-)

[orthonorm]

I signed up to volunteer at the Zoo for their Halloween party (kids trick or treat outside the animal exhibits) before I found out that Orthodoxy generally frowns on Halloween. Should I cancel?

  There is Jack Chick brouhaha surrounding this event every year, even though the holiday has Christian connections. Nevermind, what some people within Orthodoxy frown upon. What do you think?

Why would I disregard what my future coreligionists think?

I'll tell you what I think. I think that the consensus amongst the Orthodox (besides the people who make fun of 'hyperdox' and 'LARPers' on this forum) that I've seen is that Halloween is not something that an Orthodox Christian should participate in. I'm trying to see if economy could be applied in my case since I obliged myself to be involved before I knew that I shouldn't be.

At least knowing is half the battle.

I bet nearly every kid at my parish will somehow be involved in Halloween to one degree or another.

Yeah. OC.net is where you are going to find the "typical" Orthodox.

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