День всех святых происхождение праздника

All Saints’ Day
The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs by Fra Angelico
Also called	All Hallows’ Day Hallowmas Feast of All Saints Feast of All Hallows Solemnity of All Saints
Observed by	Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Lutheran Churches[1] Anglican Communion Methodist Churches[2] Church of the Nazarene Reformed Churches Philippine Independent Church Other Christian denominations
Liturgical color	White (Western Christianity) Green (Eastern Christianity)
Type	Christian
Observances	Church services, praying for the dead, visiting cemeteries
Date	1 November (Western Christianity) Sunday after Pentecost (Eastern Christianity)
Frequency	annual
Related to	Saints Allhallowtide (Hallowe’en 31 October, All Souls’ Day 2 November) Day of the Dead Totensonntag

All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day,^[3] the Feast of All Saints,^[4][5] the Feast of All Hallows,^[6] the Solemnity of All Saints,^[6] and Hallowmas,^[6][7] is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honour of all the saints of the church, whether they are known or unknown.^[7][8][9]

From the 4th century, feasts commemorating all Christian martyrs were held in various places,^[3] 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.^[10]

In Western Christianity, it is still celebrated on 1 November by the Roman Catholic Church as well as many Protestant churches, as the Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist traditions.^[7] The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.^[11] The Syro-Malabar Church and the Chaldean Catholic Church, both of whom are in communion with Rome, as well as the Church of the East celebrate All Saints’ Day on the first Friday after Easter Sunday.^[12] In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, All Saints’ Day is on Nayrouz, celebrated on 11 September. The day is both the start of the Coptic new year and its first month, Thout.^[13]

Liturgical celebrations[edit]

In the Western Christian practice, the liturgical celebration begins with its first Vespers on the evening of 31 October, All Hallows’ Eve (All Saints’ Eve), and ends at the compline of 1 November. It is thus the day before All Souls’ Day, which commemorates the faithful departed. In many traditions, All Saints’ Day is part of the season of Allhallowtide, which includes the three days from 31 October to 2 November inclusive, and in some denominations, such as Anglicanism, extends to Remembrance Sunday.^[14][15][3] In places where All Saints’ Day is observed as a public holiday but All Souls’ Day is not, cemetery and grave rituals such as offerings of flowers, candles and prayers or blessings for the graves of loved ones often take place on All Saints Day.^{[16][17][18][19]} In Austria and Germany, godparents gift their godchildren Allerheiligenstriezel (All Saint’s Braid) on All Saint’s Day,^[20] while the practice of souling remains popular in Portugal.^[21] It is a national holiday in many Christian countries.

The Christian celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day stems from a belief that there is a powerful spiritual bond between those in heaven (the «Church triumphant»), the living (the «Church militant»), and the «Church penitent» which includes the faithful departed. In Catholic theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. In Methodist theology, All Saints Day revolves around «giving God solemn thanks for the lives and deaths of his saints», including those who are «famous or obscure».^[22] As such, individuals throughout the Church Universal are honoured, such as Paul the Apostle, Augustine of Hippo and John Wesley, in addition to individuals who have personally led one to faith in Jesus, such as one’s grandmother or friend.^[22]

Western Christianity[edit]

The holiday of All Saints’ Day falls on 1 November, is followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November. It is a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, a Festival in the Lutheran Churches, and a Principal Feast of the Anglican Communion.

History[edit]

From the 4th century, there existed in certain places and at sporadic intervals a feast day to commemorate all Christian martyrs.^[23] It was held on 13 May in Edessa, the Sunday after Pentecost in Antioch, and the Friday after Easter by the Syrians.^[24] During the 5th century, St. Maximus of Turin preached annually on the Sunday after Pentecost in honor of all martyrs in what is today northern Italy. The Comes of Würzburg, the earliest existing ecclesiastical reading list, dating to the late 6th or early 7th century in what is today Germany, lists this the Sunday after Pentecost as dominica in natale sanctorum («Sunday of the Nativity of the Saints»). By this time, the commemoration had expanded to include all saints, martyred or not.^[25]

On 13 May 609 or 610, Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the martyrs, ordering an anniversary;^[10] the feast of dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Martyres has been celebrated at Rome ever since. It is suggested 13 May was chosen by the Pope and earlier by Christians in Edessa because it was the date of the Roman pagan festival of Lemuria, in which malevolent and restless spirits of the dead were propitiated. Some liturgiologists base the idea that Lemuria was the origin of All Saints on their identical dates and their similar theme of «all the dead».^[a]

Pope Gregory III (731–741) dedicated an oratory in Old St. Peter’s Basilica to the relics «of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world».^[26] Some sources say Gregory III dedicated the oratory on 1 November, and this is why the date became All Saints’ Day.^[27] Other sources say Gregory III held a synod to condemn iconoclasm on 1 November 731, but dedicated the All Saints oratory on Palm Sunday, 12 April 732.^{[28][29][30][31]}

By 800, there is evidence that churches in Ireland,^[32] Northumbria (England) and Bavaria (Germany) were holding a feast commemorating all saints on 1 November.^[33] Some manuscripts of the Irish Martyrology of Tallaght and Martyrology of Óengus, which date to this time, have a commemoration of all saints of the world on 1 November.^[34][25] In the late 790s, Alcuin of Northumbria recommended holding the feast on 1 November to his friend, Arno of Salzburg in Bavaria.^[35][36] Alcuin then used his influence with Charlemagne to introduce the Irish-Northumbrian Feast of All Saints to the Frankish Kingdom.^[37]

Some scholars propose that churches in the British Isles began celebrating All Saints on 1 November in the 8th century to coincide with or replace the Celtic festival known in Ireland and Scotland as Samhain. James Frazer represents this school of thought by arguing that 1 November was chosen because Samhain was the date of the Celtic festival of the dead.^[38][27][39] Ronald Hutton argues instead that the earliest documentary sources indicate Samhain was a harvest festival with no particular ritual connections to the dead. Hutton proposes that 1 November was a Germanic rather than a Celtic idea.^[33]

The 1 November All Saints Day was made a day of obligation throughout the Frankish Empire in 835, by a decree of Emperor Louis the Pious, issued «at the instance of Pope Gregory IV and with the assent of all the bishops»,^[26] which confirmed its celebration on 1 November. Under the rule of Charlemagne and his successors, the Frankish Empire developed into the Holy Roman Empire.

Sicard of Cremona, a scholar who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries, proposed that Pope Gregory VII (1073–85) suppressed the feast of 13 May in favour of 1 November. By the 12th century, 13 May had been deleted from liturgical books.^[25]

The All Saints octave was added by Pope Sixtus IV (1471–84).^[26] Both the All Saints vigil and the octave were suppressed by the Liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII in 1955.^[25]

Protestant observances[edit]

The festival was retained after the Reformation in the liturgical calendars of the Lutheran Churches and the Anglican Church.^[26] In the Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden, it assumes a role of general commemoration of the dead. In the Swedish calendar, the observance takes place on the Saturday between 31 October and 6 November. In many Lutheran Churches, it is moved to the first Sunday of November. In the Church of England, mother church of the Anglican Communion, it is a Principal Feast and may be celebrated either on 1 November or on the Sunday between 30 October and 5 November. It is also celebrated by other Protestants, such as the United Church of Canada and various Methodist connexions.^[40]

Protestants generally commemorate all Christians, living and deceased, on All Saints’ Day; if they observe All Saints Day at all, they use it to remember all Christians both past and present. In the United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in November. It is held, not only to remember Saints, but also to remember all those who have died who were members of the local church congregation. In some congregations, a candle is lit by the Acolyte as each person’s name is called out by the clergy. Prayers and responsive readings may accompany the event. Often, the names of those who have died in the past year are affixed to a memorial plaque.^{[citation needed]}

In many Lutheran churches, All Saints’ Day is celebrated the Sunday after Reformation is celebrated (the date for Reformation is 31 October, so Reformation Sunday is celebrated on or before 31 October). In most congregations, the festival is marked as an occasion to remember the dead. The names of those who have died from the congregation within the last year are read during worship and a bell is tolled, a chime is played or a candle is lit for each name read. While the dead are solemnly remembered during worship on All Saints’ Sunday, the festival is ultimately a celebration of Christ’s victory over death.^{[citation needed]}

In English-speaking countries, services often include the singing of the traditional hymn «For All the Saints» by Walsham How. The most familiar tune for this hymn is Sine Nomine by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Other hymns that are popularly sung during corporate worship on this day are «I Sing a Song of the Saints of God» and «Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones».^{[citation needed]}

Halloween celebrations[edit]

Being the vigil of All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day), in many countries, such as Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, Halloween is celebrated on 31 October.^[41] During the 20th century the observance largely became a secular one, although some traditional Christian groups have continued to embrace the Christian origins of Halloween whereas others have rejected such celebrations.^[42][43]

Eastern Christianity[edit]

The Eastern Orthodox Church, following the Byzantine tradition, commemorates all saints collectively on the Sunday after Pentecost, All Saints’ Sunday (Greek: Ἁγίων Πάντων, Agiōn Pantōn).

By 411, the East Syrians kept the Chaldean Calendar with a «Commemoratio Confessorum» celebrated on the Friday after Easter.^[10] The 74th homily of St. John Chrysostom from the late 4th or early 5th century marks the observance of a feast of all the martyrs on the first Sunday after Pentecost.^[25] Some scholars place the location where this sermon was delivered as Constantinople.^[44]

The Feast of All Saints achieved greater prominence in the 9th century, in the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI «the Wise» (866–911). His wife, Empress Theophano lived a devout life and, after her death, miracles occurred. Her husband built a church for her relics and intended to name it to her. He was discouraged to do so by local bishops, and instead dedicated it to «All Saints».^[45] According to tradition, it was Leo who expanded the feast from a commemoration of All Martyrs to a general commemoration of All Saints, whether martyrs or not.^{[citation needed]}

This Sunday marks the close of the Paschal season. To the normal Sunday services are added special scriptural readings and hymns to all the saints (known and unknown) from the Pentecostarion.^{[citation needed]}

In the late spring, the Sunday following Pentecost Saturday (50 days after Easter) is set aside as a commemoration of all locally venerated saints, such as «All Saints of America», «All Saints of Mount Athos», etc. The third Sunday after Pentecost may be observed for even more localised saints, such as «All Saints of St. Petersburg», or for saints of a particular type, such as «New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke».^{[citation needed]}

In addition to the Mondays mentioned above, Saturdays throughout the year are days for general commemoration of all saints, and special hymns to all saints are chanted from the Octoechos.^{[citation needed]}

Lebanon[edit]

The celebration of 1 November in Lebanon as a holiday reflects the influence of Western Catholic orders present in Lebanon and is not Maronite in origin. The traditional Maronite feast equivalent to the honor of all saints in their liturgical calendar is one of three Sundays in preparation for Lent called the Sunday of the Righteous and the Just. The following Sunday is the Sunday of the Faithful Departed (similar to All Souls’ Day in Western calendar).^{[citation needed]}

East Syriac tradition[edit]

In East Syriac tradition the All Saints Day celebration falls on the first Friday after resurrection Sunday.^[12] This is because all departed faithful are saved by the blood of Jesus and they resurrected with the Christ. Normally in east Syriac liturgy the departed souls are remembered on Friday. Church celebrates All souls’ day on Friday before the beginning of Great lent or Great Fast.^[46]

Customs[edit]

Europe[edit]

Austria and Bavaria[edit]

In Austria and Bavaria it is customary on All Saints’ Day for godfathers to give their godchildren Allerheiligenstriezel, a braided yeast pastry.^[47]

Belgium[edit]

In Belgium, Toussaint or Allerheiligen is a public holiday. Belgians visit the cemeteries to place chrysanthemums on the graves of deceased relatives on All Saints Day, since All Souls’ Day is not a holiday.^[17]

France[edit]

In France, and throughout the Francophone world, the day is known as La Toussaint. Flowers (especially chrysanthemums), or wreaths called couronnes de toussaints, are placed at each tomb or grave. The following day, 2 November (All Souls’ Day) is called Le jour des morts, the Day of the Dead.^[18] November 1st is a public holiday.

Germany[edit]

In Germany, Allerheiligen is a public holiday in five federal states, namely Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Rheinland-Pfalz, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Saarland. They categorize it as a silent day (stiller Tag) when public entertainment events are only permitted if the serious character of the day is preserved.^[48][49]

Hungary[edit]

In Hungary, Mindenszentek napja (literally All Saints Day) is a national holiday which is followed by Halottak napja (Day of the Dead). On Day of the Dead people take candles and flowers (especially chrysanthemums) on the tombs or graves of all their loved ones and relatives thus many people travell around the country to distant cemeteries. People who cannot travell may lay their flowers or candles at the main calvary cross of a nearby cemetery. Since only All Saints Day is a national holiday, most people use this day to visit cemeteries and pay tribute to their passed relatives. As in the case with every national holiday in Hungary if All Saints Day happens to be a Tuesday or a Thursday then that week’s Monday or Friday is observed as a Saturday making that weekend 4 days long and one of the previous or following Saturdays is changed to a workday. Traffic in and around cemeteries are much higher than usual on these days with actual police presence.

Poland[edit]

In Poland, Dzień Wszystkich Świętych is a public holiday. Families try to gather together for both All Saints’ Day and the All Souls’ Day (Zaduszki), the official day to commemorate the departed faithful. The celebrations begin with tending to family graves and the surrounding graveyards, lighting candles and leaving flowers. 1 November is a bank holiday in Poland, while the following All Souls’ Day is not. The Zaduszki custom of honouring the dead thus corresponds with All Souls’ Day celebrations, and is much more observed in Poland than in most other places in the West.^[50]

Portugal[edit]

In Portugal, Dia de Todos os Santos is a national holiday. Families remember their dead with religious observances and visits to the cemetery. Portuguese children celebrate the Pão-por-Deus tradition (also called santorinho, bolinho or fiéis de Deus) going door-to-door, where they receive cakes, nuts, pomegranates, sweets and candies.^[19]

Spain[edit]

In Spain, el Día de Todos los Santos is a national holiday. People take flowers to the graves of dead relatives. The play Don Juan Tenorio is traditionally performed.^[51]

Americas[edit]

Guatemala[edit]

In Guatemala, All Saints’ Day is a national holiday. On that day Guatemalans make a special meal called fiambre which is made of cold meats and vegetables; it is customary to visit cemeteries and to leave some of the fiambre for their dead. It is also customary to fly kites to help unite the dead with the living. There are festivals in towns like Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango, where giant colorful kites are flown.^[52]

Mexico[edit]

All Saints’ Day in Mexico coincides with the first day of the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) celebration. It commemorates children who have died (Dia de los Inocentes) and the second day celebrates all deceased adults.^[53]

Philippines[edit]

Allhowtide in the Philippines is variously called «Undás» (from the Spanish Honras, meaning honours, as in «with honours»), «Todos los Santos» (Spanish, «All Saints»), and sometimes «Araw ng mga Patay / Yumao» (Tagalog, «Day of the Dead/Passed Away»), which incorporates All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Filipinos traditionally observe this day by visiting their family’s graves to clean and repair the tombs. Prayers for the dead are recited, while offerings are made, the most common being flowers, candles, food,^[54] and for Chinese Filipinos, incense and kim. Many also spend the day and ensuing night holding reunions at the graves with feasting and merriment.^{[citation needed]}

Pangangaluluwa and Trick-or-treat[edit]

Though Halloween is usually seen as an American influence, the country’s trick-or-treat traditions during Undas are actually much older. This tradition was derived from the pre-colonial tradition of pangangaluwa. From «káluluwâ» («spirit double»), it was a practice of early Filipinos, swathed in blankets, going from house to house, and singing as they pretended to be the spirits of ancestors. If the owner of the house failed to give biko or rice cakes to the «nangángalúluwâ», the «spirits» would play tricks (such as stealing slippers or other objects left outside the house, or run off with the family’s chickens). Pangángaluluwâ practices are still seen in some rural areas.^{[citation needed]}

Cemetery and reunion practices[edit]

During Undas, families visit the graves of loved ones. It is believed that by going to the cemetery and offering food, candles, flowers, and sometimes incense, the spirits are remembered and appeased. Contrary to common belief, this visitation practice is not an imported tradition. Prior to the use of coffins, pre-colonial Filipinos were already visiting burial caves throughout the archipelago as confirmed by research conducted by the University of the Philippines. The tradition of atang or hain is also practiced, where food and other offerings are placed at the gravesite. If the family cannot visit, a specific area in the house is set aside for ritual offerings.^{[citation needed]}

The present date of Undas, 1 November, is not a pre-colonial observance but an import from Mexico, where it is known as the Day of the Dead. Pre-colonial Filipinos preferred going to the burial caves of the departed occasionally as they believed that aswáng (monster, half-vampire, half-werewolf beings) would take the corpse of the dead if it was not properly guarded. Watching over the body of the dead is called «paglalamay». However, in some communities, this paglalamay tradition is non-existent and is replaced by other pre-colonial traditions unique to each community.^{[citation needed]}

Undas is also seen as a family holiday, where members living elsewhere to their hometowns to visit ancestral graves. Family members are expected to remain beside the grave for the entire day and socialize with each other to strengthen ties. In some cases, family members going to graves may exceed one hundred people. Fighting in any form is taboo during Undas.^{[citation needed]}

Role of children[edit]

Children are allowed to play with melted candles left at tombs, which they form into wax balls. The round balls symbolize the affirmation that everything goes back to where it began, as the living will return to dust from whence it came. In some cases, families also light candles by the front door, their number equivalent to the number of departed loved ones. It is believed that the lights aid the spirits and guide them to the afterlife.^[55][56][57]

Holidays[edit]

1 November is a fixed date public holiday in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, East Timor, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Martinique, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Togo, the Vatican and Venezuela.

In Belgium, all Sundays are public holidays; should All Saints fall on a Sunday, then a replacement day on a weekday of choice is given. In Monaco, if it falls on a Sunday, the next day is a statutory holiday.

In Sweden, an All Saints public holiday falls on the Saturday during the period between 31 October and 6 November, with a half-holiday the day before. Both in Finland and Estonia, the All Saints public holiday was moved from a fixed date of 1 November to a public holiday on the Saturday during the period between 31 October and 6 November. In the Åland Islands the first Saturday of November is an All Saints public holiday.

In Montenegro, All Saints’ Day is considered a Roman Catholic holiday and is a non-working day for that religious community. In Bosnia and Herzegovina it’s a public holiday in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina only.

In Germany All Saints’ is a designated quiet day in states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Similarly in Switzerland the following 15 out of 26 cantons have All Saints as a public holiday: Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Glarus, Jura, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Saint Gallen, Solothurn, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, and Zug.

Although the European Commission does not set public holidays for its member states, 1 November is a public holiday for the employees of the institutions of the European Union.

In the Philippines, where there are two types of public holidays, All Saints’ Day is a fixed date, special holiday.

In India, All Saints Day is considered a public holiday in the state of Karnataka and a Christian religious holiday throughout the country, which means it is often a common addition to the list of paid holidays at the discretion of the employer, for those that wish to observe. It also happens to coincide with several state foundation days that fall on 1 November in several states: Karnataka Rajyotsava in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh Day in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana Foundation Day in Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day in Madhya Pradesh, Kerala Foundation Day in Kerala and the Chhattisgarh Foundation Day in Chhattisgarh.

In Bolivia All Saints is a public holiday on 2 November, unlike most other countries which celebrate All Souls’ Day on that date.

In Antigua and Barbuda, 1 November falls on Independence Day, in Algeria on Revolution Day and in the US Virgin Islands on Liberty Day.

See also[edit]

• 1755 Lisbon earthquake which occurred on this day and had a great effect on society and philosophy
• Dziady
• Irish calendar
• Litany of the Saints
• Veneration of the dead

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

Citations[edit]

Sources[edit]

Attribution

Further reading[edit]

• Langgärtner, Georg. «All Saints’ Day». In The Encyclopedia of Christianity, edited by Erwin Fahlbusch and Geoffrey William Bromiley, 41. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN 0802824137.

External links[edit]

All Saints’ Day
The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs by Fra Angelico
Also called	All Hallows’ Day Hallowmas Feast of All Saints Feast of All Hallows Solemnity of All Saints
Observed by	Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Lutheran Churches[1] Anglican Communion Methodist Churches[2] Church of the Nazarene Reformed Churches Philippine Independent Church Other Christian denominations
Liturgical color	White (Western Christianity) Green (Eastern Christianity)
Type	Christian
Observances	Church services, praying for the dead, visiting cemeteries
Date	1 November (Western Christianity) Sunday after Pentecost (Eastern Christianity)
Frequency	annual
Related to	Saints Allhallowtide (Hallowe’en 31 October, All Souls’ Day 2 November) Day of the Dead Totensonntag

All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day,^[3] the Feast of All Saints,^[4][5] the Feast of All Hallows,^[6] the Solemnity of All Saints,^[6] and Hallowmas,^[6][7] is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honour of all the saints of the church, whether they are known or unknown.^[7][8][9]

From the 4th century, feasts commemorating all Christian martyrs were held in various places,^[3] 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.^[10]

In Western Christianity, it is still celebrated on 1 November by the Roman Catholic Church as well as many Protestant churches, as the Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist traditions.^[7] The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.^[11] The Syro-Malabar Church and the Chaldean Catholic Church, both of whom are in communion with Rome, as well as the Church of the East celebrate All Saints’ Day on the first Friday after Easter Sunday.^[12] In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, All Saints’ Day is on Nayrouz, celebrated on 11 September. The day is both the start of the Coptic new year and its first month, Thout.^[13]

Liturgical celebrations[edit]

In the Western Christian practice, the liturgical celebration begins with its first Vespers on the evening of 31 October, All Hallows’ Eve (All Saints’ Eve), and ends at the compline of 1 November. It is thus the day before All Souls’ Day, which commemorates the faithful departed. In many traditions, All Saints’ Day is part of the season of Allhallowtide, which includes the three days from 31 October to 2 November inclusive, and in some denominations, such as Anglicanism, extends to Remembrance Sunday.^[14][15][3] In places where All Saints’ Day is observed as a public holiday but All Souls’ Day is not, cemetery and grave rituals such as offerings of flowers, candles and prayers or blessings for the graves of loved ones often take place on All Saints Day.^{[16][17][18][19]} In Austria and Germany, godparents gift their godchildren Allerheiligenstriezel (All Saint’s Braid) on All Saint’s Day,^[20] while the practice of souling remains popular in Portugal.^[21] It is a national holiday in many Christian countries.

The Christian celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day stems from a belief that there is a powerful spiritual bond between those in heaven (the «Church triumphant»), the living (the «Church militant»), and the «Church penitent» which includes the faithful departed. In Catholic theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. In Methodist theology, All Saints Day revolves around «giving God solemn thanks for the lives and deaths of his saints», including those who are «famous or obscure».^[22] As such, individuals throughout the Church Universal are honoured, such as Paul the Apostle, Augustine of Hippo and John Wesley, in addition to individuals who have personally led one to faith in Jesus, such as one’s grandmother or friend.^[22]

Western Christianity[edit]

The holiday of All Saints’ Day falls on 1 November, is followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November. It is a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, a Festival in the Lutheran Churches, and a Principal Feast of the Anglican Communion.

History[edit]

From the 4th century, there existed in certain places and at sporadic intervals a feast day to commemorate all Christian martyrs.^[23] It was held on 13 May in Edessa, the Sunday after Pentecost in Antioch, and the Friday after Easter by the Syrians.^[24] During the 5th century, St. Maximus of Turin preached annually on the Sunday after Pentecost in honor of all martyrs in what is today northern Italy. The Comes of Würzburg, the earliest existing ecclesiastical reading list, dating to the late 6th or early 7th century in what is today Germany, lists this the Sunday after Pentecost as dominica in natale sanctorum («Sunday of the Nativity of the Saints»). By this time, the commemoration had expanded to include all saints, martyred or not.^[25]

On 13 May 609 or 610, Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the martyrs, ordering an anniversary;^[10] the feast of dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Martyres has been celebrated at Rome ever since. It is suggested 13 May was chosen by the Pope and earlier by Christians in Edessa because it was the date of the Roman pagan festival of Lemuria, in which malevolent and restless spirits of the dead were propitiated. Some liturgiologists base the idea that Lemuria was the origin of All Saints on their identical dates and their similar theme of «all the dead».^[a]

Pope Gregory III (731–741) dedicated an oratory in Old St. Peter’s Basilica to the relics «of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world».^[26] Some sources say Gregory III dedicated the oratory on 1 November, and this is why the date became All Saints’ Day.^[27] Other sources say Gregory III held a synod to condemn iconoclasm on 1 November 731, but dedicated the All Saints oratory on Palm Sunday, 12 April 732.^{[28][29][30][31]}

By 800, there is evidence that churches in Ireland,^[32] Northumbria (England) and Bavaria (Germany) were holding a feast commemorating all saints on 1 November.^[33] Some manuscripts of the Irish Martyrology of Tallaght and Martyrology of Óengus, which date to this time, have a commemoration of all saints of the world on 1 November.^[34][25] In the late 790s, Alcuin of Northumbria recommended holding the feast on 1 November to his friend, Arno of Salzburg in Bavaria.^[35][36] Alcuin then used his influence with Charlemagne to introduce the Irish-Northumbrian Feast of All Saints to the Frankish Kingdom.^[37]

Some scholars propose that churches in the British Isles began celebrating All Saints on 1 November in the 8th century to coincide with or replace the Celtic festival known in Ireland and Scotland as Samhain. James Frazer represents this school of thought by arguing that 1 November was chosen because Samhain was the date of the Celtic festival of the dead.^[38][27][39] Ronald Hutton argues instead that the earliest documentary sources indicate Samhain was a harvest festival with no particular ritual connections to the dead. Hutton proposes that 1 November was a Germanic rather than a Celtic idea.^[33]

The 1 November All Saints Day was made a day of obligation throughout the Frankish Empire in 835, by a decree of Emperor Louis the Pious, issued «at the instance of Pope Gregory IV and with the assent of all the bishops»,^[26] which confirmed its celebration on 1 November. Under the rule of Charlemagne and his successors, the Frankish Empire developed into the Holy Roman Empire.

Sicard of Cremona, a scholar who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries, proposed that Pope Gregory VII (1073–85) suppressed the feast of 13 May in favour of 1 November. By the 12th century, 13 May had been deleted from liturgical books.^[25]

The All Saints octave was added by Pope Sixtus IV (1471–84).^[26] Both the All Saints vigil and the octave were suppressed by the Liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII in 1955.^[25]

Protestant observances[edit]

The festival was retained after the Reformation in the liturgical calendars of the Lutheran Churches and the Anglican Church.^[26] In the Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden, it assumes a role of general commemoration of the dead. In the Swedish calendar, the observance takes place on the Saturday between 31 October and 6 November. In many Lutheran Churches, it is moved to the first Sunday of November. In the Church of England, mother church of the Anglican Communion, it is a Principal Feast and may be celebrated either on 1 November or on the Sunday between 30 October and 5 November. It is also celebrated by other Protestants, such as the United Church of Canada and various Methodist connexions.^[40]

Protestants generally commemorate all Christians, living and deceased, on All Saints’ Day; if they observe All Saints Day at all, they use it to remember all Christians both past and present. In the United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in November. It is held, not only to remember Saints, but also to remember all those who have died who were members of the local church congregation. In some congregations, a candle is lit by the Acolyte as each person’s name is called out by the clergy. Prayers and responsive readings may accompany the event. Often, the names of those who have died in the past year are affixed to a memorial plaque.^{[citation needed]}

In many Lutheran churches, All Saints’ Day is celebrated the Sunday after Reformation is celebrated (the date for Reformation is 31 October, so Reformation Sunday is celebrated on or before 31 October). In most congregations, the festival is marked as an occasion to remember the dead. The names of those who have died from the congregation within the last year are read during worship and a bell is tolled, a chime is played or a candle is lit for each name read. While the dead are solemnly remembered during worship on All Saints’ Sunday, the festival is ultimately a celebration of Christ’s victory over death.^{[citation needed]}

In English-speaking countries, services often include the singing of the traditional hymn «For All the Saints» by Walsham How. The most familiar tune for this hymn is Sine Nomine by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Other hymns that are popularly sung during corporate worship on this day are «I Sing a Song of the Saints of God» and «Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones».^{[citation needed]}

Halloween celebrations[edit]

Being the vigil of All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day), in many countries, such as Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, Halloween is celebrated on 31 October.^[41] During the 20th century the observance largely became a secular one, although some traditional Christian groups have continued to embrace the Christian origins of Halloween whereas others have rejected such celebrations.^[42][43]

Eastern Christianity[edit]

The Eastern Orthodox Church, following the Byzantine tradition, commemorates all saints collectively on the Sunday after Pentecost, All Saints’ Sunday (Greek: Ἁγίων Πάντων, Agiōn Pantōn).

By 411, the East Syrians kept the Chaldean Calendar with a «Commemoratio Confessorum» celebrated on the Friday after Easter.^[10] The 74th homily of St. John Chrysostom from the late 4th or early 5th century marks the observance of a feast of all the martyrs on the first Sunday after Pentecost.^[25] Some scholars place the location where this sermon was delivered as Constantinople.^[44]

The Feast of All Saints achieved greater prominence in the 9th century, in the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI «the Wise» (866–911). His wife, Empress Theophano lived a devout life and, after her death, miracles occurred. Her husband built a church for her relics and intended to name it to her. He was discouraged to do so by local bishops, and instead dedicated it to «All Saints».^[45] According to tradition, it was Leo who expanded the feast from a commemoration of All Martyrs to a general commemoration of All Saints, whether martyrs or not.^{[citation needed]}

This Sunday marks the close of the Paschal season. To the normal Sunday services are added special scriptural readings and hymns to all the saints (known and unknown) from the Pentecostarion.^{[citation needed]}

In the late spring, the Sunday following Pentecost Saturday (50 days after Easter) is set aside as a commemoration of all locally venerated saints, such as «All Saints of America», «All Saints of Mount Athos», etc. The third Sunday after Pentecost may be observed for even more localised saints, such as «All Saints of St. Petersburg», or for saints of a particular type, such as «New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke».^{[citation needed]}

In addition to the Mondays mentioned above, Saturdays throughout the year are days for general commemoration of all saints, and special hymns to all saints are chanted from the Octoechos.^{[citation needed]}

Lebanon[edit]

The celebration of 1 November in Lebanon as a holiday reflects the influence of Western Catholic orders present in Lebanon and is not Maronite in origin. The traditional Maronite feast equivalent to the honor of all saints in their liturgical calendar is one of three Sundays in preparation for Lent called the Sunday of the Righteous and the Just. The following Sunday is the Sunday of the Faithful Departed (similar to All Souls’ Day in Western calendar).^{[citation needed]}

East Syriac tradition[edit]

In East Syriac tradition the All Saints Day celebration falls on the first Friday after resurrection Sunday.^[12] This is because all departed faithful are saved by the blood of Jesus and they resurrected with the Christ. Normally in east Syriac liturgy the departed souls are remembered on Friday. Church celebrates All souls’ day on Friday before the beginning of Great lent or Great Fast.^[46]

Customs[edit]

Europe[edit]

Austria and Bavaria[edit]

In Austria and Bavaria it is customary on All Saints’ Day for godfathers to give their godchildren Allerheiligenstriezel, a braided yeast pastry.^[47]

Belgium[edit]

In Belgium, Toussaint or Allerheiligen is a public holiday. Belgians visit the cemeteries to place chrysanthemums on the graves of deceased relatives on All Saints Day, since All Souls’ Day is not a holiday.^[17]

France[edit]

In France, and throughout the Francophone world, the day is known as La Toussaint. Flowers (especially chrysanthemums), or wreaths called couronnes de toussaints, are placed at each tomb or grave. The following day, 2 November (All Souls’ Day) is called Le jour des morts, the Day of the Dead.^[18] November 1st is a public holiday.

Germany[edit]

In Germany, Allerheiligen is a public holiday in five federal states, namely Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Rheinland-Pfalz, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Saarland. They categorize it as a silent day (stiller Tag) when public entertainment events are only permitted if the serious character of the day is preserved.^[48][49]

Hungary[edit]

In Hungary, Mindenszentek napja (literally All Saints Day) is a national holiday which is followed by Halottak napja (Day of the Dead). On Day of the Dead people take candles and flowers (especially chrysanthemums) on the tombs or graves of all their loved ones and relatives thus many people travell around the country to distant cemeteries. People who cannot travell may lay their flowers or candles at the main calvary cross of a nearby cemetery. Since only All Saints Day is a national holiday, most people use this day to visit cemeteries and pay tribute to their passed relatives. As in the case with every national holiday in Hungary if All Saints Day happens to be a Tuesday or a Thursday then that week’s Monday or Friday is observed as a Saturday making that weekend 4 days long and one of the previous or following Saturdays is changed to a workday. Traffic in and around cemeteries are much higher than usual on these days with actual police presence.

Poland[edit]

In Poland, Dzień Wszystkich Świętych is a public holiday. Families try to gather together for both All Saints’ Day and the All Souls’ Day (Zaduszki), the official day to commemorate the departed faithful. The celebrations begin with tending to family graves and the surrounding graveyards, lighting candles and leaving flowers. 1 November is a bank holiday in Poland, while the following All Souls’ Day is not. The Zaduszki custom of honouring the dead thus corresponds with All Souls’ Day celebrations, and is much more observed in Poland than in most other places in the West.^[50]

Portugal[edit]

In Portugal, Dia de Todos os Santos is a national holiday. Families remember their dead with religious observances and visits to the cemetery. Portuguese children celebrate the Pão-por-Deus tradition (also called santorinho, bolinho or fiéis de Deus) going door-to-door, where they receive cakes, nuts, pomegranates, sweets and candies.^[19]

Spain[edit]

In Spain, el Día de Todos los Santos is a national holiday. People take flowers to the graves of dead relatives. The play Don Juan Tenorio is traditionally performed.^[51]

Americas[edit]

Guatemala[edit]

In Guatemala, All Saints’ Day is a national holiday. On that day Guatemalans make a special meal called fiambre which is made of cold meats and vegetables; it is customary to visit cemeteries and to leave some of the fiambre for their dead. It is also customary to fly kites to help unite the dead with the living. There are festivals in towns like Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango, where giant colorful kites are flown.^[52]

Mexico[edit]

All Saints’ Day in Mexico coincides with the first day of the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) celebration. It commemorates children who have died (Dia de los Inocentes) and the second day celebrates all deceased adults.^[53]

Philippines[edit]

Allhowtide in the Philippines is variously called «Undás» (from the Spanish Honras, meaning honours, as in «with honours»), «Todos los Santos» (Spanish, «All Saints»), and sometimes «Araw ng mga Patay / Yumao» (Tagalog, «Day of the Dead/Passed Away»), which incorporates All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Filipinos traditionally observe this day by visiting their family’s graves to clean and repair the tombs. Prayers for the dead are recited, while offerings are made, the most common being flowers, candles, food,^[54] and for Chinese Filipinos, incense and kim. Many also spend the day and ensuing night holding reunions at the graves with feasting and merriment.^{[citation needed]}

Pangangaluluwa and Trick-or-treat[edit]

Though Halloween is usually seen as an American influence, the country’s trick-or-treat traditions during Undas are actually much older. This tradition was derived from the pre-colonial tradition of pangangaluwa. From «káluluwâ» («spirit double»), it was a practice of early Filipinos, swathed in blankets, going from house to house, and singing as they pretended to be the spirits of ancestors. If the owner of the house failed to give biko or rice cakes to the «nangángalúluwâ», the «spirits» would play tricks (such as stealing slippers or other objects left outside the house, or run off with the family’s chickens). Pangángaluluwâ practices are still seen in some rural areas.^{[citation needed]}

Cemetery and reunion practices[edit]

During Undas, families visit the graves of loved ones. It is believed that by going to the cemetery and offering food, candles, flowers, and sometimes incense, the spirits are remembered and appeased. Contrary to common belief, this visitation practice is not an imported tradition. Prior to the use of coffins, pre-colonial Filipinos were already visiting burial caves throughout the archipelago as confirmed by research conducted by the University of the Philippines. The tradition of atang or hain is also practiced, where food and other offerings are placed at the gravesite. If the family cannot visit, a specific area in the house is set aside for ritual offerings.^{[citation needed]}

The present date of Undas, 1 November, is not a pre-colonial observance but an import from Mexico, where it is known as the Day of the Dead. Pre-colonial Filipinos preferred going to the burial caves of the departed occasionally as they believed that aswáng (monster, half-vampire, half-werewolf beings) would take the corpse of the dead if it was not properly guarded. Watching over the body of the dead is called «paglalamay». However, in some communities, this paglalamay tradition is non-existent and is replaced by other pre-colonial traditions unique to each community.^{[citation needed]}

Undas is also seen as a family holiday, where members living elsewhere to their hometowns to visit ancestral graves. Family members are expected to remain beside the grave for the entire day and socialize with each other to strengthen ties. In some cases, family members going to graves may exceed one hundred people. Fighting in any form is taboo during Undas.^{[citation needed]}

Role of children[edit]

Children are allowed to play with melted candles left at tombs, which they form into wax balls. The round balls symbolize the affirmation that everything goes back to where it began, as the living will return to dust from whence it came. In some cases, families also light candles by the front door, their number equivalent to the number of departed loved ones. It is believed that the lights aid the spirits and guide them to the afterlife.^[55][56][57]

Holidays[edit]

1 November is a fixed date public holiday in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, East Timor, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Martinique, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Togo, the Vatican and Venezuela.

In Belgium, all Sundays are public holidays; should All Saints fall on a Sunday, then a replacement day on a weekday of choice is given. In Monaco, if it falls on a Sunday, the next day is a statutory holiday.

In Sweden, an All Saints public holiday falls on the Saturday during the period between 31 October and 6 November, with a half-holiday the day before. Both in Finland and Estonia, the All Saints public holiday was moved from a fixed date of 1 November to a public holiday on the Saturday during the period between 31 October and 6 November. In the Åland Islands the first Saturday of November is an All Saints public holiday.

In Montenegro, All Saints’ Day is considered a Roman Catholic holiday and is a non-working day for that religious community. In Bosnia and Herzegovina it’s a public holiday in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina only.

In Germany All Saints’ is a designated quiet day in states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Similarly in Switzerland the following 15 out of 26 cantons have All Saints as a public holiday: Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Glarus, Jura, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Saint Gallen, Solothurn, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, and Zug.

Although the European Commission does not set public holidays for its member states, 1 November is a public holiday for the employees of the institutions of the European Union.

In the Philippines, where there are two types of public holidays, All Saints’ Day is a fixed date, special holiday.

In India, All Saints Day is considered a public holiday in the state of Karnataka and a Christian religious holiday throughout the country, which means it is often a common addition to the list of paid holidays at the discretion of the employer, for those that wish to observe. It also happens to coincide with several state foundation days that fall on 1 November in several states: Karnataka Rajyotsava in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh Day in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana Foundation Day in Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day in Madhya Pradesh, Kerala Foundation Day in Kerala and the Chhattisgarh Foundation Day in Chhattisgarh.

In Bolivia All Saints is a public holiday on 2 November, unlike most other countries which celebrate All Souls’ Day on that date.

In Antigua and Barbuda, 1 November falls on Independence Day, in Algeria on Revolution Day and in the US Virgin Islands on Liberty Day.

See also[edit]

• 1755 Lisbon earthquake which occurred on this day and had a great effect on society and philosophy
• Dziady
• Irish calendar
• Litany of the Saints
• Veneration of the dead

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

Citations[edit]

Sources[edit]

Attribution

Further reading[edit]

• Langgärtner, Georg. «All Saints’ Day». In The Encyclopedia of Christianity, edited by Erwin Fahlbusch and Geoffrey William Bromiley, 41. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN 0802824137.

External links[edit]

Два первых ноябрьских дня в католической церкви посвящены памяти усопших: 1 ноября День всех святых (All Saints’ Day) и 2 ноября День поминовения усопших (All Souls’ Day) следуют один за другим.

Христианский праздник День всех святых имеет глубокие языческие корни. Около двух тысяч лет назад кельтские племена в это время праздновали наступление Нового года, в канун которого отмечался праздник Самайн (Samhain). Это пограничное время (переход к зиме) считалось временем волшебным и мистическим — сиды (нейтрально, а зачастую и враждебно настроенные к людям волшебные существа) приходят в мир людей, а люди тоже имеют возможность «побывать» в потустороннем мире.

Считалось также, что души умерших в этот день возвращаются в свои дома и требуют жертвенной пищи у живых. Примерно в это же самое время (в конце октября) древние римляне отмечали два праздника — Фералии, посвященные памяти усопших, и дни Помоны, богини древесных плодов.

Такое совпадение дат способствовало сохранению традиции поминовения умерших и после повсеместного распространения христианства. Праздник сросся в народном сознании с праздником церковным. Так появился День всех святых, который до сих пор празднуется католической церковью 1 ноября. All hallow ees (Месса всех святых) — таково было его искаженное староанглийское название, так что «Хэллоуин» — это не более чем «Канун Оллхолуиса».

При этом, языческие представления о сидах в средневековом христианском сознании превратились в представления о нечистой силе, выходящей в этот день пугать благочестивых обывателей. Именно поэтому в эпохи Средневековья и Нового времени Хэллоуин облюбовали ведьмы, обязательно устраивавшие в этот день шабаш.

Праздник Всех святых первоначально отмечался 13 мая, в этот день в 609 году папа Бонифаций IV освящал римскую ротонду, посвященную Богоматери и всем великомученикам церкви (по другим источникам этот праздник ввел Римский папа Григорий IV в 835 году). А в начале 11 века этот праздник был перенесен на 1 ноября (тогда этот день посвящался тем святым, у которых не было своего праздника в течение года). В ряде стран он является выходным днем и общегосударственным праздником.

Хеллоуин – один из самых древних, таинственных и зловещих праздников в истории. Рожденный во времена кельтов, он широко распространился по Западной Европе и Америке, а в начале 1990-х дошел и до России. Украшенные страшными орнаментами витрины магазинов, обилие тыкв и зомби-парады – сегодня этим уже никого не удивишь. Для молодежи это очередной повод поразвлечься, для старшего поколения – осудить легкомысленные нравы и бесовское поведение. Русская православная церковь, как известно, тоже не одобряет празднование Хеллоуина, считая его «карнавалом зла». А знаете ли вы, к примеру, что на Западе Хеллоуин тесно связан с христианским Днем всех Святых, протестанты отмечают его в память о Реформации, а традиция угощать детей сладостями (trick-or-treat) изначально была актом помощи беднякам? Об этих и других исторических аспектах этого удивительного праздника мы расскажем сегодня.

Самайн, или начало «темного» года

Хеллоуин отмечается ежегодно в ночь с 31 октября на 1 ноября, также его называют кануном Дня всех святых. Впервые слово «Хеллоуин» упоминается в XVI веке как шотландское сокращение английской фразы All Hallows Even («Вечер всех святых», где even – сокращение от evening («вечер»). Своими корнями Хеллоуин уходит в дохристианскую эпоху, во времена древних кельтов, проживавших на территории современной Ирландии и Шотландии. Здесь стоит упомянуть о еще одном важном языческом празднестве кельтов – Самайне. В переводе со староирландского Samhain означает «конец лета», что со временем трансформировалось в ирландское название месяца ноября.

Кельты делили год на две части – темную (зиму) и светлую (лето). Считалось, что темная часть года начиналась в конце октября – начале ноября. В это же время заканчивался сбор урожая. Таким образом, Самайн знаменовал собой окончание одного сельскохозяйственного года и начало следующего. Отмечали его семь дней: в ночь с 31 октября на 1 ноября, а также три дня до и три дня после.

Фото: David Tesinsky/Zuma/ТАСС

Хеллоуин и христианство

Знаковую роль в том, что Самайн не исчез, а плавно «перекочевал» в христианские традиции, сыграл Папа Римский Григорий I. В 601 году, спустя почти два века после начала христианизации Британии, он дал миссионерам наказ: вместо того, чтобы искоренять языческие праздники, обращать их в христианские. По замыслу папы, это должно было способствовать христианизации Северной Европы. Таким образом, к VIII веку Самайн фактически слился с Днем всех святых, который католическая церковь также празднует 1 ноября. Интересно, что с точки зрения религии, тема общения с душами умерших в этот день вовсе не считалась табуированной. И лишь двести лет спустя, на рубеже X-XI веков, в трудах христианских монахов мы начинаем наблюдать изменение в восприятии Самайна: оно вновь смещается в сторону темного языческого праздника, связанного со смертью.

Тем не менее политика Григория I принесла свои плоды и положила начало преемственному развитию двух праздников – Самайна и Хеллоуина – уже в рамках христианского общества. В Ирландии и Шотландии Самайн называли Oidhche Samhna и Oíche Samhna, и, что любопытно, современные носители гэльских языков до сих пор используют эти слова для обозначения Хеллоуина.

Сладость или гадость?

Фото: Liang Sen/Zuma/ТАСС

Фонарь Джека

Действительно, изначально главным символом Хеллоуина была именно репа, поскольку именно ее чаще всего можно было встретить в Ирландии и горной Шотландии. Иногда вместо репы также использовали турнепс или брюкву. Однако все изменили переселенцы, вместе с которыми культура Хеллоуина перекочевала в Новый свет. В Америке репа не росла, зато крупноплодную тыкву можно было встретить в изобилии. Помимо того, что она оказалась очень удобной для изготовления светильников, тыква прекрасно совпадает с темой урожая и цветами осени. По сей день фонарики из тыквы остаются любимым украшением праздника в разных странах, а кроме страшных лиц на них вырезают причудливые орнаменты и даже целые картины.

Гадания на Хеллоуин

Фото: Justin Tang/FA Bobo/PIXSELL/PA Images/ТАСС

Во многих странах мира 31 октября отмечают «страшный» праздник — Хеллоуин. Об истории, значении и традициях праздника «Известиям» рассказала доцент кафедры культурологии МПГУ, кандидат филологических наук Елена Бучкина.

«Давайте сначала выясним, что такое День всех святых. Это христианский праздник. Он празднуется 1 ноября, на следующий день, 2 ноября, идет День поминовения усопших. В Британии День всех святых называли All Hallows’ Day, а вечер накануне — All-Hallows-Even (Канун Дня всех святых). Впервые это название зафиксировано в 1556 году. От него и произошло современное слово «Хеллоуин», — пояснила она.

По словам специалиста, этот христианский праздник совпал по времени с праздником гораздо более древним, который отмечали задолго до него. Древние кельты отмечали Новый год примерно в то время, когда сегодня справляют Хеллоуин, — их праздник назывался «Самайн».

В древние времена праздник высчитывался по лунному календарю и начинался в новолуние. По свидетельствам древнеримских авторов, кельты праздновали свой Новый год с размахом — в течение трех темных ночей подряд, пока «умершая» луна сменялась «новорожденной».

«Сейчас мы с вами подходим к объяснению того, почему Хеллоуин получил славу «страшного» праздника. На границе старого и нового года наш мир, мир людей, и иной, мир духов, соприкасались, разделявшая миры перегородка становилась особенно тонкой, проницаемой, души умерших могли войти в человеческий мир и свободно бродить одну ночь в мире живых. Так что, по поверьям, на ночной улице можно было запросто встретить духов и приведений. В свою очередь, и люди могли при соблюдении определенных условий проникнуть в мир мертвых — и рисковали уже не выбраться обратно», — рассказала Бучкина.

Самым ярким атрибутом праздника, по словам культуролога, стал так называемый Джек с фонарем. Ранее, еще в XIX веке, очертания глаз и рта вырезались не на тыкве, а на репе или брюкве. Однако позднее в США в качестве праздничного символа начали использовать именно тыкву, поскольку она была дешевле и легче поддавалась резьбе.

Как уточнила эксперт, Джек — это персонаж средневековой легенды, который не поладил ни с Богом, ни с Дьяволом и с тех пор был вынужден скитаться по земле, собирая под своим фонарем все неприкаянные души.

«Свечки внутри резных корнеплодов призваны указывать дорогу потерявшимся душам. И это тоже отголосок древней традиции поминовения усопших: ставить огонь на подоконники, чтобы пригласить умерших в дом, где их ждет пища. Для язычников, которые всегда ощущали незримую связь с умершими предками, в этом не было ничего странного, пугающего или кощунственного», — пояснила специалист.

Она отметила, что Хеллоуин — праздник с интересной историей и богатыми культурными традициями.

«Проблема в том, что он подвергся коммерциализации в рамках современной массовой культуры, как и Рождество, и День святого Патрика, и прочие. Но это логика общества потребления, и праздник тут не виноват. А в том, что он языческий, я ничего страшного не вижу, это важная часть культуры. Масленица же языческий праздник», — добавила Бучкина.

27 октября сообщалось, что жители России стали реже покупать тыквы к Хеллоуину — в текущем году спрос на них упадет на 55% по сравнению с 2021-м. При этом в 2021 году спрос на тыквы снизился на 22% по сравнению с предыдущим.