Around the world, Hallow's Eve, or shall I say, Halloween, is celebrated in different ways by different cultures. Some of these cultures practice the holiday in positive ways like trick or treating, get togethers, and neighborhood activities. Others practice it using evil spirits and satanic rituals. If you are unfamiliar with the way Halloween is celebrated, then the next few paragraphs will teach to you the good old" Halloween ritual and remember, "The profoundest act of worship is to try to understand."--Cat Faber, The Word of God.
Commonly, on Halloween, little children, teenagers, and even adults dress in their costumes trick-or-treating or even by telling ghost stories. In the past though, bonfires and fortune-telling was a factor of celebration. Halloween means the night before All Hallows or All Saints Day, which was celebrated on May 13th. Later on, Gregory III changed the date of the holiday o November 1st in order for the Greek Orthodox Church to observe it on the first day after the Pentecost. Pope Boniface IV introduced this. Catholics believe that All Saints Day honors all of the saints in Heaven, whether known or unknown. It is said that the day also used to be called Hallowmass, "hallow" meaning sanctify. This day was considered one of the most important days of the church year.
It is relevant that every culture has at least one day to give remembrance to thedead. In Japan, from July 13th to July 15th, a festival of the dead was held. During those days, people place flowers and other gifts of remembrance in front of temples and sanctuaries. At night, lanterns are lit up to guide their ghosts home to visit. The Romans refer to the holiday as the holiday of Feralia. They, amongst other cultures also celebrate by giving rest and peace to the departed. The day is celebrated on February 21st , the end of the Roman year. Now, despite the connection with the Roman church, the American version of Halloween owes it's origin to the ancient Druidic fire festival called "Samhaim" which was celebrated by the Celt's in Scotland, Wales an Ireland.
