Among the important dates, celebrated by the Christian Church, the two fall in early November.These include holiday and the feast of All Saints Memorial.
Christianity and paganism
All Saints Day for Catholics coming November 1st.Its roots go back to ancient times - in the years when there was polytheism and paganism.Celtic peoples who inhabited Europe for nearly two thousand years ago, it was a matter of months in November New Year.Deified nature of its effects, they are changing seasons have seen something mystical.Winter, with its cold, frost, immersing all living things into a deep sleep, like death, was perceived by people as something evil, hostile, something to be feared and what should be protected.The most important in terms of magic was New Year's Eve.That night, according to tradition, reveals the invisible gateway to another world, and from all sorts of people to migrate to the spirits, magical creatures.A very dedicated, nymphs and magicians themselves can touch the mystery of the afterlife.Moreover, it was New Year's Eve on the Celtic calendar rush to their homes once inhabited the soul of people here.They want to partake of the holiday and special offers from the living, sacrificial feast.To pacify and appease the ghosts and phantoms, good and evil, on the night of November 1, the house decorated in a special way, prepare a special meal, which often set the thresholds of homes, and families all the household gathered at the blazing hearth and tried not to stick out into the street nose.Especially as the weather often adds a sinister touch to the overall mystical entourage.Could all played out in a storm or thunderstorm, lightning, lashing rain, thunder rampage.And the most daring in such moments twitching nervously and repeated himself wards.And in the days of ancient Rome in the same period also committed funeral rites, and in the autumn.Therefore, when the Catholic Church on November 1, was appointed as All Saints' Day, and was sanctioned by the old pagan world to the new, Christian.The churches are usually performed on this day "Mass of All Saints', the English title of which is close to the common people pereinachenny Halloween.
Features name
very name of the festival is not quite normal.Traditionally, the Catholic and Orthodox church calendar for one or another Christian martyr or a saint is fixed a certain day in his honor held service, praying, etc.Halloween, or All Saints' Day is dedicated to the legendary personality, which are not recorded for specific dates.Officially, the solemn liturgy in his honor were held the XI century.The tradition is still alive to this day.
history and modernity
unkind atmosphere surrounding Halloween at the time could not be abolished overnight.Moreover, it has acquired an even more sinister.In the Middle Ages and in more recent times wizards and witches covens and performed black masses, human sacrifices, they took into its ranks the Cubs.It was believed that on this day, making the appropriate rites, could know the future, to receive assistance from the mystical forces, lose his own soul, becoming the prey of evil spirits.Development of the progress and civilization of the past pushed gloomy holiday flavor.Today is more like a holy carnival horror story, when young dons creepy costumes, suits presentation mystery in the style of horror films, and the house is decorated with skulls, pumpkins with burning torches.However, commemorate the dead, go to the cemetery, laid flowers on the graves, prepare traditional dishes in the churches go service.
In this respect, similar to Halloween with some Orthodox holidays.For example, the day of the Holy Trinity.Photos from the festival, which are placed in Orthodox publications, demonstrate and ceremonial vestments of the priests, and elegantly decorated rooms of temples and churches.And then, in Orthodoxy, too, celebrating the Day of Remembrance, very similar to a Catholic.
's such an interesting moment was the fate of the holiday!
