Russian Orthodox Church and Muslims against Halloween

With the approach of Halloween, as in previous years, publications are actively beginning to appear in the media that talk about the satanic nature of this holiday. School teachers and parents are once again actively urged not to celebrate Halloween.

On October 20, the National News Agency published an article citing the words of the rector of the Novosibirsk Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Archpriest Alexander Novopashin: demons and thereby humiliate and destroy their image given to them by God! That is why pagans, Satanists, sorcerers and witches consider this day to be theirs. Religious Satanism in the content of Halloween is manifested literally in everything. For example, an important attribute of modern demonic possession is such a "cute fun "Like asking for and giving away sweets and other sweets. In fact, this is a ritual offering to dark forces. But schoolchildren do not know about this. Like their parents, looking with tenderness at children's fun."

The same article argues that "from a legal point of view, the holding of Halloween in state and municipal educational institutions of the Russian Federation, Halloween, should be considered as a form of forced involvement of students in religious associations of the satanic type and teaching students of the satanic religion." According to Archpriest Alexander, "it becomes scary when you find out that instead of the "Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture", satanic holidays are being planted in schools and our children are forced to study the rituals of satanists."

“In 2003,” the agency recalls, “in Moscow, the celebration of Halloween was banned by the relevant order of the Moscow authorities. The order states that “the presence of elements of religious content in Halloween events (the cult of death, mockery of death, the personification of death and the spirits of Evil, etc.) e.) ... destructive to the mental and spiritual and moral health of students.

The Department of Education and Science of the Krasnodar Territory, apparently following the example of Moscow, also banned educational institutions in the region from celebrating Halloween. The corresponding document was sent to all educational institutions of the region.

The press service of the Arkhangelsk diocese issued a warning about the negative nature of the satanic holiday. The Novosibirsk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church also expresses concern about the possible Halloween in the educational institutions of the city and the region and warns the public about the negative nature of this event.

Again, the Church is supported by the authorities in this matter. On October 31, the press secretary of the Moscow Department of Education, Alexander Gavrilov, told Interfax: “Over the past year, the attitude towards Halloween in educational institutions has not changed. The letter from the Moscow Department of Education is still valid, which does not recommend Halloween in any forms."

"The celebration of Halloween is alien to the traditions of our country and does not contribute to the moral education of schoolchildren," the official said.

A little later on the same day, Interfax quoted the Secretary for Relations between the Church and Society of the DECR MP, Priest Mikhail Dudko, who once again declared the danger of the "satanic" holiday: "Critically regarding religious and, in particular, Orthodox objects, many allow penetration to schools of the devil's Halloween symbolism. It's alarming."

“Usually,” Fr Michael said, “nobody seriously talks about worshiping an evil force. We are talking about “play, entertainment.” But even playing with dark images often leads to interest in satanic themes, which is simply dangerous.”

"A child who dressed up as a ghoul, sorcerer, devil or witch overcomes the natural squeamishness characteristic of babies. Children trustingly take from the hands of adults the devilish masks that they slip on them. And adults are often only interested in the commercial side of the celebration. Halloween is a whole the sales industry, but it's selling your soul first and foremost!" - said the representative of the DECR MP.

According to Fr. Michael, participating in a Halloween celebration as a child may prevent a person from confronting real Satanists later: "'We already went through this in school,'" he will say. The normal reaction that makes a person leave, turn away, will not work and may not allow save your life."

The fact that Halloween is associated with the glorification of evil spirits and does not meet the spiritual traditions of the peoples of Russia was also stated by Damir-hazrat Gizatullin, chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia.

Sources

• Kokoulin D. Orthodox priests urge Russian teachers not to celebrate Halloween // National News Agency. 2005. October 20.
• Halloween will not be celebrated in Moscow schools // Interfax. 2005. October 31.
• The Russian Orthodox Church urges not to teach schoolchildren to celebrate Halloween // There.
• The Moscow Patriarchate welcomes the intention of the Moscow authorities to prevent the celebration of Halloween in schools // Week.ru. 2005. November 1.