All Hallows Eve Edition by Myra Kahn Adams for Town Hall
Thanks for joining our study. Since today is Halloween, let’s explore the biblical basis for the holiday. (Cue irritating buzzer sound.) Wrong! – No biblical basis. However, a connection runs through the original Catholic All Saints Day dedicated to the deceased who have attained heaven and those the church officially recognizes as saints.
While historical accounts differ, according to Catholic.org, the holy day was founded by “Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 AD.” Later, in the 800s, Pope Gregory IV extended the feast day to the broader church and established the Nov. 1 date.
In merry old England, All Saints Day was called “All Hallows Day” because saints or holy people were called “hallows.” (Why “hallowed be thy name” is the opening verse of the Lord’s Prayer.) Thus, the night before All Saints Day was “All Hallows Eve.”
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But long before All Hallows Eve, the “scary” traditions associated with Halloween originated with pagan Celtics who celebrated Samhain. Celts believed the great divide between life and death was open for deceased loved ones and other spirits to traverse the two worlds during this holiday at the end of the harvest season in October. Then, quoting from that respected theological source History.com – “As Christianity gained a foothold in pagan communities, church leaders attempted to reframe Samhain as a Christian celebration.”
Eventually, Samhain traditions, dark Celtic beliefs, and All Hallows Eve festivities merged and gained popularity, especially when European immigrants brought the celebration to America. Ultimately, it morphed into you buying bags of Reese’s pieces, costumes, and decorations – injecting over $10 billion into the U.S. economy this year. (Cue standing ovation from China’s costume and decoration manufacturers.)
