The attitude of early Christianity to paganism is well documented. In Theodore's Penitential, an early book on Christian doctrine and ceremony, banned practices included astrology, worship of nature and Pagan calendar customs and festivals.
When this and other similar edicts failed to convince or convert, the church tried a slightly different tack. In a letter to St Augustine, Pope Gregory the Great advised against destroying pagan temples as part of an attempt to convert pagans to Christianity.
Thus they were allowed to continue worshipping at the old sites but only the new God was to be worshipped.
Not only were pagan places of worship appropriated by the Church, a large number of pagan festivals were appropriated in a similar way, notably Easter (Oestre), May day (Beltane), Christmas (winter solstice/Yule) and Halloween (Samhaine).
In this way, Christianity was gradually superimposed over the old ways. It is worth noting that despite 1,400 years of Christianity since, these old ideas and beliefs are enjoying a renaissance, while Christianity is in decline.
-Tom Raphael, Address supplied
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