Halloween Origins: Pagans and Christians (photos, videos)

At the time of the new millennium, there were many people across Europe who weren’t members of any formal religion. Instead, they worshiped nature, spirits and the earth. Today, we call many of these people pagans; however, at the time, the word wasn’t one they would have used to identify themselves with. As Christianity grew in popularity, there became a growing divide between Christians and those who worshiped nature. Any belief in other gods, the practice of magic, sorcery and divination, or belief that earth could reward those who worshiped it was viewed as hostile to the message of Jesus Christ and Christ’s divinity. Those who followed traditionally ways seeped in magic were now accused of worshiping the devil or practicing witchcraft.

Gothic Pumpkin Flag

As Christianity spread from Rome and across the European continent, those who practiced the “old ways” found themselves challenged and confronted by Christians. During the first century, Christianity was growing in popularity and domination. There was a conviction that anything contrary to Christianity was not only to be condemned, but was downright evil and satanic.

Those who practiced anything non-Christian were certain to spend eternity in hell and torment. Even though many pagans, such as the Celts, worshiped natural forces, such as earth, air, water and fire; they were viewed as practicing occult worship or even satanic worship. The forces behind their rituals were deemed the work of demons and satan by Christians.

During the fourth century, the Roman emperor Constantine had a vision that converted him to Christianity. This fueled his passion to Christianize the world and convert all pagans to Christianity. If it weren’t for Constantine’s conversion, Christianity may never have risen to the place of world dominance and importance as it did.

In the year 325, Constantine orchestrated the Council of Nicea which set out many rules and regulations that would establish the Catholic church and its practices. The Church was on a mission to witness, evangelize and convert pagans to Christianity. Many of the people had customs, traditions, practices and belief systems that had been established for centuries. It was not so simple to just tell pagans that their belief systems were wrong or at worse, demonic. Missionaries were facing difficult challenges as many pagans refused to put to death their festivals, practices and beliefs. In order to pacify pagans and make their conversion as simple and smooth as possible, the Church didn’t do away with their practices, but instead, changed the meanings behind them. In approximately 600 A.D. Pope Gregory I orchestrated the Gregorian missions that were meant to convert pagans across Britain. As missionaries continued to advance in pagan regions, they determined it was nearly impossible to force pagans to willingly give up their beliefs. Instead, the missionaries would consecrate pagan meeting places and even their methods of worship for Christ.

For many pagans, their practices remained the same, only the meaning behind them was now pleasing to Christian leaders. Christianity was a new religion while the pagan practices and beliefs were old. Essentially, Christian ideas were simply added to the pagan practices in a merging of a new form of religion. These methods continued for several centuries, until the Catholic Church finally determined it would be better served by outlawing pagan beliefs and practices entirely. Pope Gregory III and Pope Gregory IV were instrumental in stopping pagan practices, outlawing them and merging their rituals with new Christianized versions.

 As Samhian was celebrated on Oct. 31, and the Celtic new year began on Nov. 1, Pope Gregory III determined to replace Samhain and new year with a new, Christian holiday. Nov. 1 became All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day was a time to honor, recognize and celebrate all Christian saints who were not recognized through an official feast day or Saints’ day. All Saints’ Day is also known as All Hallow’s Day. The day before is All Hallow’s Eve, and is where we get the word Halloween from. Now that Christianity was ruling the land, the instituting of All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints’ Day was an important step in replacing the pagan festival of Samhain. There had been several centuries of merging traditions and a great disdain for pagan practices, but that still didn’t stop people from celebrating All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints Day with pagan flair.

Many of the traditions associated with Samhain, continued to be practiced during these new Christian holidays. Two hundred years later another holiday would be added to the list. On November 2, Christians would celebrate All Soul’s Day. All Soul’s day was a time to remember those who passed away or died in the last year. This was the same tradition as those who celebrated Samhain. There is no doubt. All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day were birthed out of Samhain and other pagan festivals that occurred on those days.

 You can learn more about Halloween’s origins and the spread of Christianity in the video below.

 Also, check out these beautiful, Halloween flags and Halloween quotes and sayings from our Facebook page.

Love these beautiful flags for Halloween!
Posted by The Holiday Page on Friday, October 2, 2015