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#Post#: 225--------------------------------------------------
On Halloween
By: marc hanna Date: October 28, 2014, 6:45 pm
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ON HALLOWEEN
"With regard to our non-participation in the pagan festival of
Halloween, we will be strengthened by an understanding of the
spiritual danger and history of this anti-Christian feast."
HTML http://www.stmaryscopticorthodox.ca/index.php/english/abouna-s-blog/32-on-halloween
TOPIC RESTORED
#Post#: 226--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: marc hanna Date: October 28, 2014, 6:47 pm
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As a family, we have decided not to celebrate Halloween.
Obviously this is not universally accepted or condemned through
most of Christendom.
#Post#: 241--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: stanley123 Date: October 29, 2014, 2:07 am
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Oh, I don't see it that way. If you are going to condemn
Halloween because the pagan Celts had a similar holiday, you
might as well condemn the celebration of Christmas with the
Christmas tree. It is known that the holiday tree was worshipped
by the Celts. Actually the term druid itself derives from the
Celtic word for oak. According to the Encyclopędia Britannica,
"The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize
eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and
Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans..."
I see Halloween as Hallowed evening, the evening before All
Saints Day, to be followed by the next day which is All Souls
Day. I don't see anything wrong in celebrating it in moderation,
just as I don't see anything wrong with bringing a tree into
your house at the time of the winter solstice, and celebrating
the holiday in moderation. Just as it would be wrong to get
drunk and commit adultery or fornication at a Christmas eve
party, so too, some of the Halloween celebrations are extreme
and to be avoided, but it is not necessary to eliminate the
celebration completely, IMHO.
#Post#: 243--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: Pandora Date: October 29, 2014, 7:07 am
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That thing was written by an Orthodox priest? I hoped they'd be
better informed and not recycle Evangelical hogwash.
#Post#: 245--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: marc hanna Date: October 29, 2014, 7:42 am
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I guess the question is; is it acceptable for a Christian to
celebrate a festival that enters on Satan, demons, and
witchcraft?
I think if one were going to church and celebrating the mass of
All Saints this is different celebration all together. As an
Orthodox, no such holiday exists in my church, so all I'm left
with is the pagan festival.
Certain seasonal decorations are not exclusive to pagan
festivals. Pagans wear clothes, should I also avoid wearing
clothes. It is the celebration of ideals which is of concern
here.
#Post#: 325--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: charbelkaleab Date: October 31, 2014, 10:29 am
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HTML http://sofiaglobe.com/2014/10/31/bulgarian-orthodox-church-metropolitan-speaks-out-against-growing-popularity-of-halloween-in-bulgaria/
This Bulgarian priest says that Jesus shows us that there is
life and victory over sin but Halloween shows us decay and
death. Whos with him? And also any of you who have children, do
you let your children involve in the holiday of Halloween?
#Post#: 329--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: stanley123 Date: October 31, 2014, 3:08 pm
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[quote author=marc hanna link=topic=59.msg245#msg245
date=1414586540]
I guess the question is; is it acceptable for a Christian to
celebrate a festival that enters on Satan, demons, and
witchcraft?
[/quote]
Here's an article supporting the celebration of Halloween for
Roman Catholics.
HTML http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/its-time-for-catholics-to-embrace-halloween/2133/
#Post#: 330--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: marc hanna Date: October 31, 2014, 3:19 pm
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I think it's important to make the distinction between the RC
feast of All Saints and All Hallow's Eve (which has nothing to
do with ghouls, goblins, and witches) and the actual pagan
celebration that only retains the RC feast name.
I commend those who go to church for mass or spend the evening
in prayer, but dressing up and going out trick or treating is no
more celebrating the Saints of the Church than blatant
consumerism and greed is celebrating the birth of Christ.
#Post#: 332--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: Maria Date: October 31, 2014, 3:24 pm
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I agree Marc, but this yard decoration shown below reveals how
dissipative Halloween has become in the West.
It is no longer a time to pray for the faithful departed or to
the Saints that we may be saved.
Instead the fabric stores are filled with shoppers trying to
make a last minute costume for a party.
Lord have mercy.
[img
height=500]
HTML https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/309554_233011883424697_533224463_n.jpg?oh=40a3ed1ab305f2131e25da52a77b9321&oe=54F7A115[/img]
#Post#: 345--------------------------------------------------
Re: On Halloween
By: Maria Date: October 31, 2014, 6:05 pm
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Here is an excerpt from another article:
[quote]From an Orthodox Christian point of view, we can see many
diabolical beliefs and practices associated with this feast,
which have endured to this time. On the eve of the New Year's
festival, the Druids, who were the priests of the Celtic cult,
instructed their people to extinguish all hearth fires and
lights. On the evening of the festival, a huge bonfire built
from oak branches was ignited (oak was regarded by the Celts as
sacred). Upon this fire sacrifices were burned as an offering,
in order to appease and cajole Samhain, the Prince of Death. It
was also believed that Samhain, being pleased by the offerings,
allowed the souls of the dead to return to their homes for a
festal visit on this day. It is from this belief that the
practice of wandering about in the dark, dressed up in costumes
imitating ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, fairies, etc. came about.
The living entered into fellowship and communion with the dead
by what was, and still is, a ritual act of imitation, through
costume and the activity of wandering around in the dark of
night, as the souls of the dead were believed to wander.[/quote]
To read the entire article, please visit
HTML http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/halloween_e.htm
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