Saints are celebrated in St Osyth

Sally Lockwood and Dianne Pile
From the Church of St Peter and St Paul, St Osyth

The activity evenings have proved popular with youngsters in 2008

All Hallows Eve is the day before All Saints Day on 1, November and both celebrations date from the eighth century A.D.

At the church of St Peter and St Paul in St Osyth plenty is happening to mark the Christian days.

It is a time for celebrating saints who have gone before, both those with a capital 'S' and a small 's'.

Sally Lockwood and Dianne Pile write the Tales of Two Parishes blog as they prepare their activity evening.

"All Hallows Eve is the precursor to All Saints Day in the Christian calendar which falls on 1st November and dates from about 800 AD.

"In 2007, we introduced an All-Hallows evening in our church which is aimed at providing an alternative for the children of the village to modern day Halloween and 'trick or treating'.

"This event has proved very popular and in the last two years has attracted over 50 children plus parents each evening, with lots of fun and games, snacks and drinks.

Wednesday, 7, October at 3pm there is a special service to celebrate the life of Saint Osyth Sally Lockwood and Dianne Pile

"As you would expect, 'Halloween' costumes are discouraged and prizes for the best children's costume are awarded reflecting the chosen theme.

"This year the theme is 'Rainbows' and the evening will be on Friday 30th October from 6.30-8.30p.m.

"Entertainment will be provided by 'Dream Themes' and we very much thank the St. Osyth Business Association for their sponsorship.

All Saints Day

All Hallows, or Hallow Mas, or Hallow E'en, is a precursor to All Saints Day (1, November), which is the Christian day of remembrance of the saints of the faith - both recognised and unknown - which has been observed since the year 609 AD.

St Osyth praying, her day of celebration is on 7, October

"It is actually based on a combination of the Christian commemoration of the departed faithful with the pre Christian Celtic feast celebrating the end of summer ('Samhain') and the start of the Celtic new year.

"All Hallows E'en was observed on 31, October, when the Celts believed that the spirits of the departed, both good and evil, visited their kinsman in search of warmth and good cheer as winter approached.

"Around 800 AD the day became known as All Hallowmas, which eventually changed to All Hallow E'en.

Wednesday, 7, October at 3pm there is a special service to celebrate the life of Saint Osyth and it is taking place at the chapel in St Osyth Priory by kind permission of the Sargeant Family.

Interregnum update

The post of 'Priest in Charge' was advertised in September in the Church press.

Interested applicants will approach the Bishop of Colchester in the first instance and they have the opportunity to view our Parish Profile via our website, St Osyth Parish Church or request a printed version from the Bishop.

The closing date for applications is 21st October, with interviews on 17th November.