The Patriarchate of Georgia describes the celebration of Halloween as “completely unacceptable” for the Orthodox faithful.
In a statement issued by the Georgian Church’s public relations department, it is stated that this holiday is based on religious principles that are contrary to the conscience of the Orthodox Church.
It explains that there are different interpretations of Halloween. “The main story is about how a pious tradition can merge with a foreign tradition and degenerate completely.”
According to a statement from the Church of Georgia, it was Pope Gregory III who established All Saints’ Day in the Roman Church in 732, setting November 1 as the date of celebration.
“As with any other church holiday, All Saints’ Day begins the evening of the previous day (Halloween means ‘the eve of All Saints’ Day’). On this day, clergy and people would make processions to churches and towns, carrying religious icons and relics,” the Church of Georgia says.
It goes on to say that “despite the efforts of the modern entertainment industry to separate Halloween from its religious rituals, this event was and remains rooted in the Church.
However, it has been corrupted by idolatry to such an extent that instead of venerating the images and relics of the Lord and His saints, people spend time in revelry and disguises, impersonating various ghoulish characters and demonic personifications.”
For this reason, it concludes, that Halloween is totally unacceptable to the Orthodox faithful.
