(MENAFN) A legislator from Russia’s Bryansk Region has advocated for the prohibition of Halloween, asserting that the celebration is linked to Satanism, which is outlawed in the country.

Mikhail Ivanov, who also leads the group ‘Orthodox Russia,’ shared his views during an interview with a media outlet, describing Halloween as a Western tradition that is foreign to Russia’s heritage and spiritual identity.

He expressed concern that the holiday is being artificially introduced into Russian society.

Ivanov emphasized that Halloween’s imagery is connected to malevolent forces and darkness, warning that it has a “destructive influence” on the delicate mental state of younger individuals.

He believes the observance weakens the nation’s core values, fosters interest in occult practices, and runs counter to “the fundamental moral values on which our country has been built for centuries.”

The lawmaker urged that promoting Halloween should be treated similarly to endorsing Satanism.

He noted that his organization’s goal is to establish “legal barriers to the aggressive promotion of alien ideologies disguised as harmless entertainment.”

Ivanov called on Russian citizens to embrace their native festivities, historical figures, and cultural legacy instead of relying on “borrowed substitutes.”

Halloween originally stems from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a seasonal celebration marking the end of harvest and the belief that spirits could pass into the realm of the living.

Over time, the Western Christian Church, particularly Roman Catholics, incorporated the date as All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day.

This observance gradually transformed into the modern Halloween, now associated with costumes, lanterns, and trick-or-treating activities.

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