Among the important dates celebrated by the Christian Church, two are in early November. These include the feast of all saints and the feast of remembrance of the dead.
Christianity and paganism
The day of all saints for Catholics begins on November 1. Its roots go back to time immemorial - in those years when polytheism and paganism existed. The Celtic peoples who inhabited Europe almost two thousand years ago, considered November as the New Year month. By deifying nature, its phenomena, they saw something mystical in the
changing seasons . Winter, with its cold and frost, immersing all life in a deep sleep, like death, was perceived by people as something evil, hostile, which should be feared and protected. The most important magically was New Year's Eve. This night, according to legend, invisible gates to another world open, and all sorts of spirits, magical creatures penetrate people. And especially initiates, sorcerers and magicians, themselves can touch the mystery of otherworldly life. Moreover, on
New Year's Eve, according to the Celtic calendar, the souls of people who once lived here rush to their homes. They want to partake of the holiday and expect from the living a special, sacrificial treat. To pacify and calm ghosts and phantoms, evil and good, on the night of November 1, houses were decorated in a special way, a special treat was prepared, which was often exhibited at the thresholds of houses, and in families all the households gathered at a brightly burning hearth and tried not to stick their nose out onto the street . Moreover, the weather often added its sinister note to the overall mystical surroundings. A storm or thunder could flare up at all, lightning flashed, whip rain, thunder rage. And the most courageous in such moments, shyly trembled and repeated to themselves protective spells. And in the time of Ancient Rome, in the same period, memorial rites and farewells of autumn were also performed. Therefore, when the Catholic Church on November 1 appointed All Saints Day, and the old pagan worldview was superimposed on the new, Christian one. In churches, the Mass of All Saints was usually performed on this day, the English name of which is close to Halloween, which was transformed into a common people.
Name Features
The name of the holiday is not quite usual. Traditionally, in Catholic and Orthodox clergy, a certain Christian martyr or saint is assigned a certain day when services, prayers, etc. are held in his honor. Halloween or All Saints Day is dedicated to those legendary figures for whom specific dates are not recorded. Officially solemn services in his honor began to be held from the 11th century. The tradition is still alive today.
History and Modernity
The unkind atmosphere surrounding All Saints Day at that time could not be eliminated overnight. Moreover, she acquired an even more sinister shade. In the Middle Ages and in later times, witches and sorcerers performed sabbaths and black masses, made human sacrifices, and recruited newcomers. It was believed that on this day, having carried out the appropriate ceremonies, it was possible to find out the future, get help from mystical forces, lose your own soul, becoming the prey of all evil spirits. The development of progress and civilization pushed back the gloomy flavor of the holiday. Today, Saints' Day is more like a carnival horror story, when young people don eerie costumes, arrange mystery performances in the style of horror films, and decorate houses with skull-pumpkins with burning lanterns. However, the deceased are remembered, go to cemeteries, lay flowers on the graves, prepare traditional dishes, services are being held in churches.
In this regard, Halloween is similar to some Orthodox holidays. For example, the day of the Holy Trinity. Photos from the holiday, which are placed in Orthodox publications, clearly demonstrate both the ceremonial vestments of priests and the elegantly decorated premises of churches and churches. And then in Orthodoxy they also celebrate Memorial Day, very similar to Catholic.
That fate turned out to be such an interesting holiday!