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History:
"Hallow", in Old English, means "holy" or "sacred." Therefore, "Hallows'
Eve," or "Halloween" simply means "the evening of holy persons" and refers
to the evening before All Saints Day, which is this day, November 1 on
both Anglican and Catholic calendars. In the early years when Rome
persecuted Christians, so many martyrs died for their faith, that the
Church set aside special days to honor them. For example, in 607 Emperor
Phocas presented to the Pope the beautiful Roman Pantheon temple (see
picture at top of page). The Pope quickly removed the statues of Jupiter
and the pagan gods and consecrated the Pantheon to "all saints" who had
died from Roman persecution in the first three hundred years after Christ.
Their bones were brought from other graves and placed in the rededicated
Pantheon church.
In the next
century, All Saints Day was changed by Pope Gregory III to today's date--
November l. In the 10th century, Abbot Odela of the Cluny monastery added
the next day--November 2nd--as "All Souls" Day" to honor not just the
martyrs, but all Christians who had died. People prayed for the dead, but
many unchristian superstitions also were continued. Food was often offered
to the dead--as it had been in pagan times. It was also believed that on
these two days, souls in purgatory would take the form of witches, toads,
or demons and haunt persons who had wronged them during their lifetime.
As happens so
often in Church history, sacred Christian festivals can absorb so many
pagan customs that they lose their significance as Christian holidays. But
think of it positively. Who are your favorite heroes in Christian History?
Can you think of any whose example has inspired you? Why not use this All
Saint's Day to think of and give thanks for as many Christians from the
past that you know about, whether they are famous or not, whose lives have
contributed something to yours.
More on the
history of All Saints Day:
Catholic Encyclopedia
A
Responsive Call to Worship for All Saints Day
Pastor: We remember, O God…
People: The countless saints of history who have blazed a trail of
courage through time,
Pastor: We remember, O God…
People: The tender touch of loved ones, the example of heroes, the
healing words of comforters, the remarkable acts of fearless ones.
Pastor: We remember, O God…
People: The gentle strength of grandmothers, the loyalty of friends,
the kindness of strangers, the joy of children, the sacrifice of
parents.
Pastor: We remember, O God…
People: The supreme love of Jesus, the blessing of his Spirit, the
reminder of his words, the sharing of his suffering, the glory of his
resurrection: shown forth in the lives of his disciples, young and old,
dead and living, articulate and silent, strange and familiar, brilliant
and ordinary.
Pastor: We remember in every time and place the saints of God who have
shown us the Lord.
ALL: SINCE WE ARE SURROUNDED BY SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES... LET US
WORSHIP GOD WITH JOY! (click here for more prayers)
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A
"Pumpkin Sermon"