Halloween: An Orthodox Christian Perspective
One of America’s most beloved and fastest growing holidays is Halloween, and it is also the most demonized. Many of all ages, both young and old, celebrate it with innocence and a smile, yet some also condemn it with fury as an evil and violent day. The majority see Halloween as a fun children’s holiday on which they dress up in costumes and go door to door to get candy, while others view it as a remnant of paganism and a subtle celebration of satanism. Amid this confusion and dichotomy, I will attempt to set the record straight in a short yet concise manner based on the most up-to-date studies, and examine whether or not the Church is called to demonize or sanctify Halloween based on the truth.
The Great Martyr Demetrios the Wonderworker and Myrrh-streamer
There are actually conflicting accounts in the sources, but the overwhelming view is that he was born and bred in Thessaloniki. As a young man, he rose through the ranks of the Roman army because he was a very talented soldier. How he came to be introduced into the Christian faith we do not know, though it was not as usual as one might think for a high official. There were Christians even in the Roman imperial family: Theodora, the wife of Galerius, for example, who was beheaded in Thessaloniki on the orders of Emperor Licinius (ca. 315).
Announcement of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Singapore & South Asia about the non canonical actions of Patriarch of Serbia in Indonesia
Much to their surprise, the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Singapore and South Asia were informed via the official website of the Orthodox Church of Serbia about the visit of His Beatitude Patriarch of Serbia Irinej to Indonesia and his participation in an Interfaith Conference, organized by the Government of the aforementioned Asian country.
The Recumbent Lion
This is an iconographical type [usually known by its Greek title “Anapeson”], which represents Christ as a young child, recumbent on a cradle or cot, and symbolizes the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy in verses 9-12 of chapter 49 of the book of Genesis. In these, the patriarch Jacob pronounces the prophecy which has to do with the tribe of Judah, from which will come the Messiah, and in this way foretells His advent, passion and resurrection.
Saint Christodoulos of Patmos
The Blessed Christodoulos, or Ioannis as he was in the world [i.e. before he became a monk], was born in the year 1020 in Nicaea, Bithynia, of devout parents, Theodoros and Anna. From an early age he was brought up in a monastic environment and lived the ascetic life on Mount Olympus in Bithynia and in Palestine. He later went to Mount Latron in Caria, Asia Minor, to the Monastery of Stilos, where he founded a library and gathered many monks around him. From his sojourn on Mount Latron, the Blessed Christodoulos is also called “Latrinos”.
Saint John Climacus: On Dreams
The reason why we have decided to speak about dreams here is obvious. When we leave our home and relatives for the Lord’s sake, and sell ourselves into exile for the love of God, then the devils try to disturb us with dreams, representing to us that our relatives are either grieving or dying, or are captive for our sake and destitute. But he who believes in dreams is like a person running after his own shadow and trying to catch it.
“White” Magic: Its Effect On People
The magicians told their victim that he had been put under a spell, and that he would die in two months. In other words, they told him outright lies. If anyone goes to magicians (or astrologers or fortunetellers) and is told that a spell has been put on them and so on, they can be sure this is a lie. They told him these lies in order to fleece him of his money. If you go to magicians, they’ll lie to you and fleece you as well.
Saint Gerasimus of Cephalonia
Our holy Father Gerasimus came from Peloponnese. In his youth, his devout parents put him to the study of sacred literature, in which he showed outstanding ability. As a young man, he left home for the island of Zakynthos and travelled thence all over Greece.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Mount Athos
From October 15-19, 2013, His All-Holiness traveled to the historic monastic peninsula of Mount Athos, also known as the Holy Mountain, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its independence and incorporation into the Greek state. The Patriarchal delegation included Metropolitans Gennadios of Italy and Germanos of Tranoupolis, as well as the Grand Archdeacon Maximos, the Second Patriarchal Deacon Andreas, and the V. Rev. Grand Preacher Bessarion.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Serbia for Edict of Milan Celebration
His All-Holiness was in Serbia from October 4-9, 2013, for the Edict of Milan 1700th anniversary celebrations organized by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Serbia. Accompanying the Ecumenical Patriarch were Metropolitans John of Pergamon and Emmanuel of France, as well as Archimandrite Bartholomew Samaras, Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, Grand Archdeacon Maximos Vgenopoulos, and Mr. Symeon Frantzelas.