October 31st is approaching — the day when many in Serbia will ask themselves: Will we decorate our homes with carved pumpkins, or will we remember that this is the day of St. Luke — physician, evangelist, and protector of the sick?
While some are planning costume parties and buying witch hats, others are frowning at what they see as “foreign customs” creeping into our homes. But perhaps these two worlds aren’t as far apart as they seem.
St. Luke – Healer of the Soul and the Body
According to the Christian calendar, St. Luke the Evangelist is celebrated on October 31st. He was one of the four authors of the Gospels, and tradition tells us that Luke was a physician by profession and a painter by gift. He is believed to have painted the first icon of the Virgin Mary and is therefore considered the patron saint of artists and healers.
It was once believed that on St. Luke’s Day, one should avoid using knives or needles so as not to “cut one’s health.” He is celebrated by families, doctors, and farmers, and in some regions, it was said that St. Luke protects the home from illness and evil spirits. Read about Serbian Slava here.
Halloween – The Ancient Festival of Fear and Light
On the other hand, Halloween originated long before it became the modern American night of costumes and candy. Its roots go back to the ancient Celtic festival Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter.
The Celts believed that on that night, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead disappeared. They lit bonfires and wore masks made of animal skins to confuse evil spirits.
When Christianity spread through Europe, the Church sought to transform the pagan celebration. Thus, November 1st became All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day), and the evening before — All Hallows’ Eve, which over time became known as Halloween.
In its modern form, Halloween is no longer about superstition but about fun and creativity. Children and adults alike dress as witches, vampires, or ghosts, decorate their homes with pumpkins and candles, and celebrate the night — not in fear, but in laughter.
When Halloween Arrived in Serbia
In Serbia, Halloween came through movies, the internet, and school parties. Today, in late October, storefronts fill with pumpkins, cobwebs, and costumes, and schools and kindergartens organize masquerades.
Some parents see it as harmless fun and a way for children to express imagination, while others worry that our traditions are being forgotten.
But perhaps it’s not so simple — because if we look deeper into Serbian folklore, we’ll find that masking and dressing up have existed here long before the first carved pumpkin.
Our Own Ancient “Witches” and “Werewolves”
In old Serbian customs, especially during winter, people also believed in the power of disguise.
During Koleda and Poklade, young men dressed in animal skins, wore fur masks, and hung bells around their waists, going from house to house singing and dancing.
They sang caroling songs, blessed homes, scared away evil spirits, and brought wishes of health and fertility.
Such customs were widespread across Serbia and carried the same ancient idea as Samhain — to face fear through ritual, song, and laughter.
So before we dismiss Halloween as a “foreign custom,” maybe we should remember that our ancestors too wore masks to chase away evil and that through such traditions, they preserved health, joy, and community.
Tradition and Modernity – Together in the Classroom
At the Academic Center of Knowledge, each autumn our students, while preparing for the final exam, don’t just study grammar and literature — they also explore the culture and heritage of our ancestors.
Through folk lyric poetry and other forms of oral literature, we discuss customs, symbols, and values that our people have carried through centuries.
In these songs, we recognize timeless human themes — the struggle between good and evil, fear of the unknown, faith, togetherness, and the celebration of life.
That’s why our classes are not just exam preparation — they are a journey through tradition, connecting the past and the present.
Where the Past and the Present Shake Hands
Perhaps that’s the true charm of October 31st in Serbia — that on the same day, St. Luke and Halloween meet; prayer and masquerade, icon and pumpkin.
One doesn’t have to exclude the other: we can honor St. Luke with respect and later allow ourselves a bit of fun and imagination.
Because both, in their own way, speak of the same human need — to make sense of the world, to protect ourselves from harm, to be together, and above all — to remember who we are.
