Moscow schools ban Halloween

No trick, no treat in Moscow

The Russian Orthodox Church and the Moscow city schools administration are taking a stand against Halloween.

The educators say that bringing elements of religion into the classroom is inappropriate, while the clerics condemn its connection with evil spirits.

The Moscow education administration has written to schools banning celebrations.

"Religious elements in the celebrations contradict the secular part of the education in state educational institutions," the letter said, according to Russia's NTV.

When people turn to evil forces by way of a joke, when they praise them and flirt with them... it teaches him that evil is acceptable Vsevolod Chaplin, Russian Orthodox Church spokesman

The department is also reportedly concerned that ghoulish elements of the holiday have upset parents.

"Parents have expressed their unhappiness that some schools are celebrating this - how do you call it? - event or holiday," a department spokesman told the Moscow Times.

The spokesman, Alexander Gavrilov, said parents were distressed to see children pretending to hang each other after Halloween.

A Russian Orthodox Church spokesman, meanwhile, said Halloween was "more than strange".

"When people turn to evil forces by way of a joke, when they praise them and flirt with them, it reflects on the fate of the person, because it teaches him that evil is acceptable," Vsevolod Chaplin told the Interfax news agency.

"Walking with a demon in life can only lead one to tragedy, unhappiness and self-destruction," he added.

Halloween - the night before the Christian All Saints Day, and incorporating pre-Christian elements - is not widely celebrated in Russia.