October began with St Francis of Assisi and harvest celebrations, and ends with Hallowe'en on October 31 - the eve of All Saints Day on November 1.

The tradition of the celebrations for Hallowe'en developed in the earliest days of the Celtic people’s religious festival called Samhain, when they would put lights in their windows and light bonfires to ward off the spirits of their ancestors.

They would have a feast together and swop stories about their dead relatives - which could be where telling ghost stories at Hallowe'en came from.

Our modern ‘trick or treating’ is based on another part of ancient practice when food was put out to feed and honour their ancestors. This has become mixed with the early Christian practice of children visiting other homes singing prayers and were treated with food for doing so.

Today’s Hallowe'en is very much a mix of these old traditions and practices that people have come to enjoy.

The Church, since the 8th century, has taken the opportunity to celebrate its faithful ancestors which are called ‘saints’, and introducing All Saints Day at the same time as the popular and widely held festival of Samhain.

As with other common festivals the Church could then use Hallowe'en to teach people about the saints who were good examples of holy living that people should follow.

However if you celebrate Hallowe'en and All Saints Day we will be joining in with you in our special services at The Cathedral starting with our 11am Sung Eucharist on Sunday, October 29.

We wish you a happy time and the blessing of safety and a good winter to come at The Cathedral of The Isles.