History Series: Halloween
Halloween: the Sacred and the Secular
Is it Pagan or Christian?
Halloween (Allhallows Even) is the evening of October 31. In its strictly religious aspect, this occasion is known as the vigil of Hallowmas or All Saints’ Day, November 1, observed by the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. In the fourth decade of the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved this holiday to the present date (from May 13) to celebrate the feast when he consecrated a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to all the saints.
Later, Gregory IV extended the feast for the entire church in 834. In Latin European countries, the evening of October 31 is observed mainly as a religious occasion. In Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States, ancient Halloween folk customs persist alongside the religious observance.
Halloween is the second most popular holiday in the U.S. after Christmas — at least according to retailers, where overall Halloween spending is predicted to be over $10B — but it is the first in terms of candy sales alone of $3B. Not only are candy and costumes popular purchases, but increasingly, houses are being decorated with “Halloween lights.” Parties are popular and are increasingly celebrated on the weekend before.
- Salem, MA, is a popular location for these with its…
