Comments on: Hallowe’en: An Orthodox approach

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:12:26 +0000

This is a wonderful idea. I appreciate having the construction details also. I can’t help but believe that those dressed in demon costumes whose hearts are affected by the experience of lighting candles for God’s saints will think twice about wearing those costumes next year.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:21:46 +0000

Thanks for the idea. We did it this year and it was a great success. Next year I’l make sure to have more than 40 candles. Easily could have used 100.

By: Silouan

Silouan — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:31:35 +0000

Glory to God! I was hoping someone would claim this post :-) I’ve updated the attribution.

By: Steve Lammert

Steve Lammert — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:00:03 +0000

Nice to see that this old idea of mine is still making the rounds. The photo above is from 2004, but I’ve been doing it for at least ten years now.

Here are some details if you would like to construct your own setup (too late this year, sorry):

- The icon is from Holy Transfiguration Monastery (http://www.thehtm.org) catalog number A-283. I used size 16×20, and had it mounted by my godfather (an iconographer).
- I buy the beeswax tapers from our parish now. In the past I used several Orthodox sources on the Internet, but no longer can remember which ones.
- The candles sit in about 75lb of “play sand” (50lb bag is $5.99 at Toys’R'Us) which fills a wooden planter that I bought at a garden shop some years ago.
- I prop the whole thing up on a kitchen stool.

For myself, I think it is important to say as little as possible to the kids. If any really want to know what is going on, they will ask, and then you can decide what to say about it. My experience is that many kids will never have lit a candle before, except perhaps while singing “Silent Night” at Christmas; some will remember it from year to year, and look forward to seeing “the candle guy” again. God knows if it makes a difference, but it can’t hurt for them to have the one opportunity each year.

Steve Lammert
Greensburg, PA

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:45:55 +0000

I wish you had pictures of the kids in Satan masks lighting candles too. The Devil payin’ mad respect.

By: matdonna

matdonna — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:48:11 +0000

Thank you for the excellent idea! Our parish is in the middle of a developing neighborhood, with many young families, so we are hoping to try this in the church porch this year. I’ve borrowed your photo and linked here from our parish blog to encourage people to consider this idea.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:36:20 +0000

Brilliant idea! I carved IC XC into a pumpkin a few years back — you’ve inspired me to do it again, and do your idea too! Maybe blast some ’spooky’ Byzantine chant as well. . .hmmmmmm!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:31:10 +0000

If I can get an Icon of All Saints by Saturday I am so totally doing this.

By: Katya

Katya — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:08:03 +0000

What a great Orthodox way to handle the abominable festival! Bravo!!

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:08:28 +0000

I’m glad to stumble upon this post, because I’ve found Halloween rather disturbing lately. I like your perspective…