Special days of the year: Halloween All Saints Day

 

Halloween

The history of Halloween goes all the way back to a pagan festival called Samhain. The word “Halloween” comes from ‘All Hallows’ Eve’ and means “hallowed evening.” Hundreds of years ago, people dressed up as saints and went door-to-door, which is the origin of Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating.

Halloween may be a secular affair today, dominated by candy (meaning sweets in English), costumes and trick-or-treating, but the holiday is rooted in an annual Celtic pagan festival called Samhain (pronounced “SAH- wane”) that was then appropriated by the early Catholic Church some 1,200 years ago.

The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. … Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. On the day corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin.

This festival, coming between autumn and winter, marks the ‘Day of the Dead‘. For Pagans, it is a time for honouring departed spirits and reflecting on changes in their lives.

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.“

“And give no opportunity to the devil.“

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. … “

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!“

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What do you believe in?

 

Wit, wit, wit – Drink and Other Drugs:

Witz, Witz, Witz – Trinken und andere Drogen:

“I like the odd drink. Five is odd, Seven is odd, nine is odd…” Quote by W. C. Fields.

 

All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day, Hallowmas, the Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honour of all the saints of the church, whether they are known or unknown.

From the 4th century, feasts commemorating all Christian martyrs were held in various places on various dates near Easter and Pentecost. In the 9th century, some churches in the British Isles began holding the commemoration of all saints on 1 November, and in the 9th century, this was extended to the whole Catholic Church by Pope Gregory IV.

In Western Christianity, it is still celebrated on 1 November by the Roman Catholic Church as well as many Protestant churches. The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic and Byzantine Lutheran churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. The Church of the East and associated Eastern Catholic churches celebrate All Saints’ Day on the first Friday after Easter.

” The suffix “een” is an abbreviation of “evening.” Halloween refers to the Eve of All Hallows, the night before All Saints’ Day, the Christian holy day that honours saintly people of the past. All Souls’ Day is a day to pray for all souls.