Pumpkin Spas 2026: What is the Feast and How Does the Church View It?translated

Reader's Question:

How does the Church view the Pumpkin Spas (analogous to Honey, Apple, and Nut Spas)? In recent years, it has become a domestic substitute for Halloween, but All Hallows' Eve was originally dedicated to the saints, just like Spas. What is the difference for the faithful? Can Orthodox Christians celebrate holidays of other Christian denominations?

Andrei

Reply from the Priest:

Viktor Nikishov, Priest

Greetings, Andrei!

"Pumpkin Spas" is a secular internet meme and not a church feast, and the Church does not consider it a replacement for Halloween. It is not permissible to celebrate it as a religious feast, but there is no sin in using pumpkins or participating in a secular autumn event, provided it is not associated with occult symbolism.

The name arose as a humorous "Russian alternative" to Halloween, and it uses the word "Spas," which for Orthodox Christians is associated with Christ the Saviour and the custom of blessing certain foods (Honey, Apple, Nut). However, this feast has no relation to the Orthodox calendar.

Renaming Halloween to "pumpkin Spas" does not change the essence, but only misleads people, since the word "Spas" is linked to...