What are the bells ringing. Church bells
Orthodox Russians about Halloween
I enter the round dance, laughing, and yet I feel uneasy with them:
what if someone will like the executioner's mask - and he will not take it off
Vl. Vysotsky
A "holiday" is approaching, imported to Russia in the early 2000s from the United States - Halloween. The Americans adopted it from the ancient Celts, who, according to their pagan calendar, marked the beginning of the new year on November 1. In the Celtic tradition, it was believed that on Halloween night the earth was ruled by dark forces, and, in order for them not to harm, they must be gratified in every possible way. This is where the custom of roaming on Halloween night, discharged in costumes of ghosts, witches and other evil spirits, originates in the pagan world.
This "holiday" in recent times spreads in Russia, the culture-forming religion of which is Orthodoxy. Alas, today's Russians, even who call themselves believers, often do not even know what Orthodoxy knows about the world order.
In addition to the material world, which we can see, touch and study, there is a spiritual world that is not perceived by our senses. And yet, it is absolutely real. With God - the Creator of the material and spiritual worlds - each person can enter into personal communication. If, of course, he wants this, he comes to the Church of Christ, begins to participate in the Sacraments, mystically connecting man with God. Contact with dark forces the spiritual world it is much easier to set up. It is enough to call them, even as a joke. It is God who needs a conscious appeal of man to Him, God loves us and expects reciprocal love. Demons appear at the first call, because their goal is to deceive and destroy a person.
Modern man does not believe in the existence of demons (even among those who consider themselves Orthodox, about half consider them to be an invention). This is what they are trying to achieve. It is beneficial for the evil power that people do not believe in it - in the darkness of unbelief it is easier to do their dark deeds. And games like Halloween untie the hands of the devil's forces.
The "classic" Halloween celebration usually takes place in the form of a masquerade, whose heroes come from the world of the occult and magic. Particularly popular are the outfits of witches, magicians, sorcerers, vampires, the dead, werewolves, ghosts, mermaids, fairies, elves, ghouls, ghouls, etc. Parties are accompanied by ominous, graveyard music, howling wolves, hooting owls and other frightening sounds. Fortune-telling, witchcraft, pagan rituals of sacrifice are welcome evil spirits, draws of a dubious nature. Popular hanging posters depicting Dracula, witches, vampires and demonic paraphernalia ( Aspen stake, black rosary, etc.). Even the cheerful custom of placing pumpkins everywhere with terrible faces carved on them carries an infernal meaning: the pumpkin symbolizes the severed head, the sacrifice offered to the devil. It is better to keep silent about the names of the dishes served at such sabbats, they are, to put it mildly, unappetizing.
Halloween is especially attractive for children and teenagers. The childhood dream of being smeared with soot and scaring someone has become incredibly accessible! The child is no longer afraid of evil! Skeletons, vampires, bloody zombies no longer cause a natural feeling of rejection. In that " comic holiday"A person is given a" rare opportunity "to feel like a demon, to act like a demon ... Playing in a demonic attitude, like any game for a child, involves trying on the image of a hero. Children copy the human sacrifices of Satanists, scoff at human suffering and death - and this cannot pass without a trace either for their mental state or for personal development.
In Orthodoxy, it is clearly realized that such actions are demoniacal - that is, they invisibly participate in them dark entities the spiritual world - demons. Vivid imagery, occult rituals, "crowd effect" provide the strongest emotional impact on all participants. At the same time, there is a substitution and distortion of universal human ideas about good and evil, beauty and ugliness, truth and falsehood. In other words, there is a real demonization of consciousness, a person falls under demonic influence.
And it doesn't matter at all whether a person deliberately enters the field of dark mysticism, or just mindlessly having fun. Dark, satanic meanings were originally embedded in the eventual canvas of such merrymaking. Demons are guaranteed to poke fun at those who try to flirt with them.
What children play today greatly influences what they will do in the future. Did holidays like Halloween give rise to the so-called "school shooting", for example? This is already a special term that has appeared, which denotes the massacres of students, carried out, most often, by the students themselves. People are being shot at by adolescents whom no one has introduced to the elementary rules of spiritual safety (and how many adults know them nowadays?), But the world of dark spirituality was opened to them. So, from 2000 to 2013, in the USA and Canada, such crimes were committed 125 times, in the rest of the world - 27 times, in Russia - 1 time. Until one time. Do we need to "catch up with America"?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners.
If someone around you is planning to celebrate Halloween, let them read this leaflet.
If they are going to celebrate at the school where your children study, bring to the consciousness of the teachers that they are thereby renouncing Orthodoxy and surrendering themselves into the hands of Satan. And it's not a joke. Our deeds can be either "for God" or "against God." There is no middle, "neutral" way.
“Test everything, hold on to what is good. Refrain from all kinds of evil. "
1st THESSALONIANS 5: 21-22
Feast of Evil
Halloween is a religious day, but not Christian. Tom Sanguinette, a former high priest of the religion of sorcerers and magicians, said: “Modern holiday which we call Halloween, originates from the closest full moon day to November 1st, which is New Year witches. It is assumed that at this time the spirits (demons) are at their peak and are visiting planet Earth again ... Halloween is completely and absolutely evil, and there is and will not be anything that can make it acceptable to the Lord Jesus. "
Death date
Halloween has its roots in paganism and witchcraft. It began as a festival of the Samhain druids. The Celts considered November 1 as the day of death, because in the northern hemisphere this day was the beginning of winter, the leaves fell off, it began to darken earlier, and the temperature dropped. They believed that their sun god was losing power and Samhain, the lord of death, was superior to the sun god. The Druids also taught that on the eve of the holiday, October 31st, Samhain collected the spirits of everyone who had died in the past year so that they would return to their former houses to visit the living.
Human and Animal Sacrifice
For thousands of years, during Halloween, Druidic priests performed devil-worshiping ceremonies during which cats, horses, sheep, cattle, humans, and other victims gathered in one place and stuffed into witches' cages, where they were burned alive. Obviously, such sacrifices of people and animals were required in order to please Samhain and so that the spirits would not harm them.
Wallet or Life
In order to obtain people and animals for these sacrifices, Druidic priests went from door to door and asked for the fattest calves, black sheep and people. Those who gave were promised prosperity, and those who refused were threatened and cursed. This is the origin of the expression “ wallet or life”.
Jack-O-Lantern ("Glowing Jack")
The "Glowing Jack" originated from the custom of lighting a candle inside a pumpkin or skull, which served as a signal to mark those farms and homes that supported the Druidic religion and thus sought " life”When the Halloween terror began. The World Book Encyclopedia says: “Innocent looking pumpkin lighted face,“ Glowing Jack ”- there is ancient symbol of a damned soul ”.
Dance of Death
When humans and animals screamed in agony as they burned alive, druids and their followers dressed in costumes made from animal skins and heads. They danced, chanted monotonously and jumped over the fire, hoping to ward off evil spirits from themselves.
House of Horror
One of the popular Halloween heroes, Count Dracula, was also a real person... Dracula lived from 1431 to 1476. During his 6-year reign, he killed over 100,000 men, women and children in the most horrific ways. He came up with a plan to rid his country of the worries of beggars, the disabled, the sick and the elderly by inviting them to a feast in one of his palaces. He fed and watered them well. Then he asked: "Do you want to be carefree so that you don't have a shortage of anything in the world?" When his guests shouted: “ Yes!”, Dracula ordered to surround the palace and set it on fire. Nobody escaped from this present " houses of horror.”
The word of god
“When you enter the land that the Lord your God gives you, then do not learn to do abominations that these nations have done: you should not be with you who leads his son or daughter through the fire, a soothsayer, a fortuneteller, a sorcerer, a spirits, magician and inquirer of the dead; For everyone that does this is an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord thy God drives them out from before thee. be blameless before the Lord your God; for these nations, whom you drive out, listen to diviners and soothsayers, but the Lord your God did not give it to you. " (DEUTERONOMY 18: 9-14).
They must teach My people to distinguish what is sacred from what is not sanctified and explain to them what is unclean and what is pure. " (EZEKIEL 44:23)
“My people will be destroyed for lack of knowledge: since you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from the sacred rite before Me; and since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. " (OSIA 4: 6).
"Instruct the young man at the beginning of his path: he will not deviate from him when he is old." (PROVERBS 22: 6)
“But whoever seduces one of these little ones who believe in Me, it would be better for him if they hung a millstone around his neck and drowned him in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of temptations, for temptations must come; but woe to that person through whom temptation comes. " (MATTHEW 18: 6-7)
“Love [let it be] unfeigned; turn away evil, cleave to good; " (ROMANS 12: 9).
"... so let us reject the works of darkness and put on the weapons of light." (ROMANS 13:12).
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of the demon; you cannot be partakers in the Lord's meal and in the demonic meal. " (1 CORINTHIANS 10:21).
“Do not fall under the yoke of others with the unbelievers, for what is the fellowship of righteousness with lawlessness? What does light have to do with darkness? What is the agreement between Christ and Beliar? Or what is the complicity of the faithful with the infidel? What is the compatibility of the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God said: I will dwell in them and I will walk [in them]; and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from among them and separate yourself, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean; and I will receive you. " (2 CORINTHIANS 6: 14-17).
"And do not share in the fruitless works of darkness, but also expose." (EPHESIANS 5:11).
"Finally, my brethren, what is only true, what is honest, what is just, what is pure, what is kind, what is glorious, what is only virtue and praise, think about this." (PHILIPPIANS 4: 8).
“But the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, listening to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of false believers, burnt in their consciences” (1 TIMOTHY 4: 1-2)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you. " (JAMES 4: 7).
"Pure and undefiled piety before God and the Father is that to look down on orphans and widows in their afflictions, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (JAMES 1:27).
"Beloved! do not imitate evil, but good. He who does good is from God; but the one who does evil has not seen God. " (3rd JOHN 11)
Participation in Paganism
Instead of taking part in paganism, walking with witches and being in tune with Halloween, instead of our children celebrating ruthlessness and mindless fun on the day of death, we should focus the attention of our families and churches on celebrating Reformation Day on October 31st.
Reformation Day instead of Halloween
It was on October 31, 1517 that Dr. Martin Luther nailed 95 Abstracts at the door Schlosskirche(castle-church) in Wittenberg, Germany. His bold challenge against the unscriptural principles of the papacy of medieval Rome inspired the Protestant Reformation. All Bible-based churches should celebrate the greatest revival of faith and freedom in history. The Reformation was one of the most important turning points in world history. The energy unleashed from the rediscovery of the Bible in plain language led to the most outstanding spiritual Renaissance in history. The Reformation freed the Christians of Northern Europe from the destructive influence of Renaissance paganism and led to the greatest freedoms and scientific discoveries in history.
Any Bible believer Christian should celebrate the day of the Reformation. No Christian should take part in the celebration of the occult Halloween.
We are in a state of worldwide spiritual warfare. Animal cruelty, vandalism, and even murder are significantly more common during Halloween. Every year during Halloween, many thousands of animals and even people are sacrificed in satanic rituals around the world, while millions of other people, including those who have good intentions, Christians, take part in the Halloween celebrations. Halloween is a prime time for witches and Satanists to attract people into their ranks. Many people testify that they were involved in the occult during a Halloween party. Halloween is very religious holiday but not Christian.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (ROMANS 12:21).
Choose Life
October 31, this year, actively oppose Halloween: organize your family and church to celebrate the day of the Reformation and take part in spiritual battle, sincere prayer; praying the Psalms, sharing the Gospel with their friends and neighbors, especially with those who, perhaps without thinking, take part in this occult holiday of divination, divination, human sacrifice and cruelty to animals.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you can stand against the wiles of the devil, because our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spirits of evil in heaven. For this, accept the whole armor of God, so that you can withstand on an evil day and, having overcome everything, stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and clothed with the breastplate of righteousness, and shod your feet with the readiness to preach the gospel of peace; and above all, take the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the fiery arrows of the wicked one; Take the helmet of salvation, and the spiritual sword, which is the Word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at all times in the Spirit, and strive for this very thing with all constancy and supplication for all the saints ”(EPHESIANS 6: 10-18).
Dr. Peter Hammond, Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont, 7735
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Is Halloween dangerous? Should it be banned? We asked representatives of different confessions about this. Russian Federation... Read more in the article!
Regional ministries of education do not recommend allowing the celebrationHalloweenin Russian schools. Nevertheless,there is no official ban on this holiday... Scripts for “school Halloween” are being offered online, and stands with holiday attributes appear in stores. Should the celebration of Halloween be banned, and what alternative to offer to children? Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Muslims answer.
When unclean spirits are remembered in this way, it would seem that it can only justify this to some extent if people do not believe in all this, for them everything is a game. But we know that the devil is very interested in not being believed in. It is God who wants to be believed in.
When the dark forces are recalled in play, it is natural that no one takes it seriously: "We just play, but there is really nothing." And it really is, and it is clear that any believer should stay away from this kind of "holidays".
But I think it makes no sense to prohibit Halloween. In general, I am against any official prohibitions. Who can officially ban it? State? It seems to me that the Church should resort to the patronage of the state as little as possible in any matters.
And the forbidden fruit is always sweeter.
I think that the issue is easier to solve: if the parents are believers, Orthodox, then they may well say to their children: "You cannot participate in this holiday." And explain why.
Priest Kirill Gorbunov, Director of the Information Service of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese Mother of God in Moscow:
Halloween holiday. It is important not to play too much
The concern of priests and secular authorities is understandable. Speaking of Halloween, they mean a purely secular festival, which in the West, for example, in America, has recently acquired the character of real hysteria. For example, last year, Americans spent a fantastic $ 6.5 billion on Halloween outfits and candy.
There is a certain form of mass madness, which, as representatives of the Church and public organizations have repeatedly noted, is sometimes not only grotesque, but also sinister in nature.
Although in most cases, of course, we are still talking about innocent entertainment, horror stories that have always been popular with children and adolescents.
As for the position of the Catholic Church: if you look at the situation in context church year then this celebration has a rationale that not everyone knows.
Expressions from the series “Congratulations on Halloween - All Saints Day” appear in the Russian press. But Halloween is the eve of All Saints' Day (this is how this word stands in translation from English - Evening before All Hallows). It is preceded by two major church holidays- Celebration of All Saints (November 1) and All Saints' Day (November 2).
Believers experience this time as a period when our attention is paid more to the invisible. We realize that the world is much larger than we used to think, that there is a host of saints who pray for us and help us in this life.
On October 2, we pray for people who have not yet attained the eternal sight of God, who need our prayers in order to pass through this intermediate state to the ultimate goal of their lives. It is clear that these ideas are a normal part of Christian faith, but these days we think about them with special zeal and depth.
In this context, it can be said that Halloween, without being, of course, any church catholic holiday, reminds of an important thing: that we are surrounded by invisible forces, including those that tempt a person, try to harm him. But with God's help we can defeat them and even laugh at them. After all, we know that in Christ all demonic, demonic forces have already been defeated.
And this idea of the Halloween holiday is actively used Catholic Church for catechetical purposes. If after this secular festival they come to the temple and pray for the triumph of God and the kingdom of saints - this, of course, has a deep meaning.
A separate question is whether a Christian can put on a mask, disguise evil force? Traditionally, for example, at Christmas, mysteries are held, in which some of the participants sometimes have to portray evil spirits - after all, they also play their role in the history of salvation. People who are challenged to appear in such roles for a few minutes admit that, thanks to this, they begin to better understand the tragedy of sin and the greatness of God's mercy, the irreversibility of God's victory over the forces of evil.
But there is nothing good when the celebration is divorced from the ecclesiastical and spiritual context and, moreover, is a triumph of superstition. Moreover, if a person wants for a while to break out of the usual "conventions", to be identified with the forces of evil, to be on his side. It may turn out that such "games" will change the personality of a person, his psychology. And this choice begins to be embodied, often against the will of the person himself, in his real, not playful life.
But, as you know, if you try to prohibit something, it can become even more popular and attractive. So there is not much sense in direct prohibitions. Yes, in our country and not in question about the ban in general, the conversation concerns only celebration in public organizations, for example, in schools.
By the way, several years ago the media reported that Pope Benedict XVI allegedly personally condemned Halloween. This is not true: it was about a statement by a famous Spanish liturgist in an article in L'Osservatore Romano, a newspaper considered to be the official organ of the Holy See. This priest talked about the fact that Halloween has a pronounced occult and anti-Christian overtones. This is an opinion worth listening to, but certainly not the teaching of the Church.
Rushan Khazrat Abbyasov, Deputy Head of the Council of Muftis of Russia:
Instead of Halloween, you need to find a holiday that would unite all children.
Halloween is something that is invented today, artificially brought into our country, and has nothing to do with its traditions, ideas that have been taking shape for centuries. But it's hard to talk about some kind of massive official ban on the "holiday". After all, we live in a secular state. Moreover, we need to understand that such problems should not be solved by religious leaders.
On the other hand, we, to the best of our ability, try to fight some manifestations of sin, be it alcoholism, homosexuality, passion for "occult practices" and so on. That is, with something that is alien to our creed and is misleading people, leading them to sin.
You need to be attentive to today's phenomena that promote something unhealthy (and Halloween paraphernalia cannot be called healthy). Flirting with evil spirits, even if they are not taken seriously, lead away from faith in the One God. Young people are mistaken, thinking that such festivities are nothing more than a fun pastime.
And we will try to protect our children (I say this also as a father) from such phenomena. So that they themselves understand the "value" of such events, which can lead a person astray.
Perhaps it is worth thinking about an alternative to Halloween, which is being imposed on us. Maybe the Interreligious Council of Russia will be able to find some kind of holiday that would unite our children today, regardless of their religious and national identity. After all, we are all united by our state, from time immemorial we have lived and live in good-neighborliness, we are united by a common history. And we all really need good uniting holidays.
You read the article Halloween: should you be banned?
