This
Friday we celebrate All Saints Day as a way to honor the people who lived for
God. On this day, we take time to
remember past Christians and what they did to spread the gospel, and how some
of them died for their faith.
About seven hundred thirty years after
Christ, Pope Gregory III, moved All Saints Day from May to November 1. Why? He wanted people to forget about a
Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), as well as other similar
festivals. The Celts were people that lived mostly in what is now Ireland,
Britain and northern France long ago, even before Christ.
Because November 1 was set aside to honor
those who lived for God, the evening before this holiday, October 31 became
known as All Hallows Eve. Over time some
phrases became shortened, which is what happened to All Hallows Eve. By the 1700s, the phrase had been shortened
to Halloween.
Today, the ancient celebration of Halloween
continues with its rituals and customs, and is enjoyed by both old and young
throughout the world. Today’s
celebrations include haunted houses, fall festivals and parties. Though many transformations have occurred
with Halloween, many similarities in rituals and celebrations have roots from
long ago.
~ Cheryl Kreifeldt
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