Orthodox holidays of the Savior in August. Saved in August

AT last month summer - August, Orthodox believers celebrate the three largest bright holiday. Three Spas in August 2018: Honey, Apple and Nut or Bread.

Find out how these holidays are celebrated, their history and what traditions should be observed. What signs correspond to them.

Three Spas in August: traditions, signs

Honey Spas in 2018 - August 14

The Feast of the First Savior was established on the occasion of a double victory: the Russian prince Andrei Bogolyubsky defeated the Bulgarians, and the Greek emperor Manuel defeated the Arabs in 1164. The Russian prince and the Greek emperor had the Holy Cross of the Lord in their troops.

Both of them fervently prayed to him for help, and both were honored with a miraculous vision with the troops: from the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God taken to the war, light emanated and overshadowed the troops. The warriors bravely rushed at the enemy and won.

AT church calendar this holiday is marked as the Origin (wearing out) of honest trees Life-Giving Cross Lord's.

The holiday is accompanied by the carrying out of the cross, procession and the solemn blessing of water on rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Therefore, among the people, the first Spas is also called the wet Spas. Also, the first Spas in some places is called honey.

This day is the holiday of beekeepers, when beekeepers break the first honeycombs in the hives.

“On the first Savior, break the honeycomb”, “On the first Savior, the beggar will eat honey,” the people say. The peasants believed that from that day on, bees cease to produce honey. The first honeycombs were usually carried to the church: not only for consecration, but also "for the remembrance of parents."

As a rule, the sowing of winter crops began from the first Savior: “The first Savior is the first sowing,” our ancestors said, and they certainly brought sowing seeds to the church, and the priests sprinkled holy water on the fields before sowing. The wells were also blessed.

Such folk signs are alive: “Roses fade from the first Savior, good dew falls”, “Horses are bathed on a wet Savior, and bees stop wearing honey bribes.”

The Feast of the First Savior coincided with the day of remembrance of the Old Testament martyrs Maccabees. Mentioning them in folk calendar associated with the time of picking poppies.

Apple Savior in 2018 - August 19

The Second Spas is celebrated on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The gospels tell that Jesus, taking Peter, James and John, went up the mountain in order to pray. During this prayer, the Transfiguration took place - the face of Jesus lit up with light, and the clothes in which he was dressed became whiter than snow.

Then the two prophets Moses and Elijah appeared, they talked with Jesus about his exodus, which will soon take place in Jerusalem. The disciples who witnessed the transformation were frightened.

But Jesus reassured them and forbade them to talk about what happened during prayer until Christ was resurrected, as he was destined. It is believed that this holiday is designed to remind people of the need for spiritual transformation.

Previously, before the second Savior, it was impossible to eat fruit. On August 19, they were carried to the church for consecration, after which all fruits were allowed to be eaten.

Therefore, among the people, the second Savior is called apple. According to tradition, on this day, at first they treated relatives, friends, as well as orphans, the poor, with apples, as a remembrance of their ancestors who fell asleep in eternal sleep, and only then they themselves ate.

Vasily Selivanov, in his book The Year of the Russian Farmer, wrote: “On the same day, after dinner, crowds of women and children besiege the landowner’s gardens, which are almost always surrendered to merchants, and buy from the latter everything that would even be thrown out for uselessness, if only called an apple.

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They buy for pennies, for tows of hemp and flax, for eggs; for example, for one egg they get two or three handfuls of apples, as many broad hands of the inmate can hold them. On this day, whole cartloads of carrion and nepadalica, even good varieties of apples, are poured into the gardens and delivered to the surrounding parishes to the churches, where at the end of mass everything is sold out.

Apple Spas is also called the "first autumn", that is, the meeting of autumn.

In the old days, all believers certainly celebrated the apple Savior, baked apple pies, cooked apple jam and treated each other to them.

Spas nutty in 2018 - what date

Third Savior - August 29, 2018 - Savior "on the canvas", appointed in memory of the transfer of the miraculous image of the Lord to Constantinople.

There is a legend that during the earthly life of Jesus Christ, the prince of Edessa fell seriously ill. Having learned about the miracles of the Savior, the prince sent his artist to him with a letter, asking him to heal him from a serious illness. When the artist saw the face of the Savior, he really wanted to depict his features on the canvas, but all the labors were in vain - he could not catch the features of the Lord's face.

Noticing this, Jesus Christ ordered to bring water, washed himself, wiped his face with a handkerchief, and to the surprise of those present, an image of Christ immediately appeared on the handkerchief.

Jesus Christ sent this miraculous image of himself to the prince along with a letter in which he wrote: “Blessed are you that you believed in me without seeing me. After my ascension, my disciple will come to you and completely heal you of your illness.

The prince, having received the icon and bowed to it, was almost completely cured of his illness. At first, the image was kept in the city of Edessa, where the prince lived, but later it was transferred to Constantinople. This transfer was made on August 29th.

Among the people, the third Savior also meant the end of the harvest and winter sowing - with “dozhinki”, “finishing”, and often “sowing”.

The third Savior was called nut or bread, because by this day, as a rule, nuts ripened and the harvest of bread ended.

And there were corresponding sayings among the people: “It’s good if the Savior is on the canvas, and the bread is in the threshing floor!”, “The Third Savior has stored up bread.” “If the third Savior is good, there will be kvass in winter.” There were signs: “Swallows fly off three times, three Spas”, “If the crane flies off to the third Spas, then it will be frosty on Pokrov.”
On this day they baked pies and cookies from the new bread.

Spas is a traditional holiday of the ancient Slavs, which has absorbed some pagan and religious components. The first, on August 14, is celebrated Honey Spas or, as it is also called, Makovey. Then, on August 19, Apple Savior, and at the end of summer - August 29 - Walnut Savior. Today, the Savior has become a holiday of the Christian people.

Spas in 2018 - when and how three Spas are celebrated in Ukraine, when the Assumption Fast begins and what traditions it is important to adhere to these days, this will be discussed further in our material.

Medovy Spas or Poppy Spas (Makovey)

Makovei on behalf of the seven martyrs Old Testament- Makoveev. This first Savior is celebrated on August 14th. It is also called Wet, or the Savior on the Water. On this day, it is customary to honor water, bake gingerbread, pies and pancakes with honey and poppy seeds.

In addition, there is a belief that on August 14, you can not swim in open water, they say, evil forces can be pulled under water. On this day, water in wells and reservoirs is blessed.

There is a sign: what will be the day of the first Savior, so will the third - Walnut.

Also on this day, the Assumption Fast begins, which lasts until August 27. This is the only multi-day Orthodox fast in honor of the Mother of God and her Assumption. Also, the celebration of the Honey Savior is associated not only with religious events, but also with rural field work. It is believed that the First Spas marks the beginning of the harvest. The ancestors believed that the Honey Savior was the end of summer and preparations for winter had to begin. There is a belief that after the Honey Savior, the bees no longer carry honey. It was on this day that beekeepers took out the first honeycombs from the hives and sanctified them in the church. The honey collected at this time was considered the most healing.

Apple Spas

Ukrainians celebrate the Second Spas on August 19. It is also called Medium or Large. But according to tradition, they begin to prepare for the celebration of the Apple Savior 2 weeks in advance. During this period, it is forbidden to eat apples, especially for women: it is believed that in this case, she takes on the sin of Eve. Also, do not drive away and kill insects. There is a sign that if a fly sat on your hand 2 times, then this is a harbinger of success and prosperity.

Our ancestors believed that on the very day of the Apple Savior, all apples acquire special miraculous properties. Housewives sanctify all fruits, prepare various dishes with apples, and prepare preparations for the winter. It is believed that a wish made before biting an apple will surely come true.

Another sign on the day of the Apple Savior is that if the day is dry, then it promises a dry autumn, and the rains on this day portend a rainy autumn, the clear sun speaks of a harsh future winter.

In addition, the Apple Savior also coincides with the Transfiguration of the Lord. And on this day, the farewell to summer begins.

Walnut Spas

The last, third Spas is celebrated on August 29. This holiday is also called the Canvas Savior and the Bread Savior. At this time, the end of the harvest falls, so the first bread and pies are baked from the grain of the new crop, then it is consecrated and eaten by the whole family.

Another great religious holiday also falls on the last Savior - the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For a long time, it was believed among the people that walnut branches on this day have a special power. For example, a bath broom made of hazel can cure a person of any disease.

Ancestors believed that after the third Savior, autumn comes.

In the last month of summer, Orthodox believers celebrate three major holidays, three Spas - Honey, Apple and Bread. Find out how these holidays are celebrated and what traditions should be observed.

Honey Spas

The very first Savior of August is invariably celebrated on August 14 and coincides with the beginning of the Dormition Fast. From that day on, beekeepers began to collect honey from overcrowded hives. Then the delicacy was carried to the church to consecrate, only after that they tried honey and treated their loved ones to it. From here originates the first, most famous name Spas - Honey.

By August 14, the collection of poppies began, from which various treats were made for holiday table, so the Spas got its second name - Makovy or Makovey. Poppy Spas folk tradition connected with the church day of remembrance of the seven Old Testament martyrs Maccabees.

On this day, they asked the Lord and the Saints for a good harvest and not a hungry winter. They consecrated the water in the springs and collected herbs for amulets. Spas was celebrated modestly, because by the beginning of August, work related to the harvest was still in full swing and there was no time for a magnificent holiday. After a hard day of work, celebrations were held, accompanied by dances and songs, while on the table there were treats with honey and poppy seeds, as well as mead.

Honey Savior - traditions

From this day begins a period that is called Spasovki or Spas. At this time, our ancestors celebrated three Spas. After the arrival of Christianity, many pagan rites were mixed. Therefore, on this day it is customary to go to the river for consecration. Since this Savior falls on the Dormition Fast, the gifts of nature are usually put on the table - berries, fruits, vegetables. In addition, housewives always bake honey gingerbread and gingerbread, pancakes with poppy seeds and honey, buns with poppy seeds, buns and all kinds of pies.

At the service, the gifts of nature and, of course, honey are necessarily consecrated. Only after that our ancestors began to eat it.

Since earlier on this day the Old Testament martyrs of the Maccabees were also remembered, high crosses were erected in memory of them, which were decorated with poppies. A pumpkin mask with a lit candle was always attached on top. All night long, young people on Medovy Savior walk and have fun, and also lead round dances around the cross.

As on many holidays, it was customary for our ancestors to treat all the poor. And even many believed that if this is not done, then you can invite trouble into your home. Our ancestors also said that one should not be sad on this day, otherwise the whole year will pass like this. Therefore, we tried to make this holiday as cheerful and joyful as possible.

Apple Spas

The Harvest Festival, which is celebrated annually on August 19, is timed to coincide with the great church date- The Transfiguration of the Lord.

According to legend, from that day on, nature turned towards autumn and turned away from summer. The earth was transformed and gave people a new harvest of fruits. Apples picked at the end of the summer were taken to church to be blessed, and then cooked from them for Lenten treats.

Some of the consecrated apples were taken to the cemetery and placed on the graves of deceased relatives and close people. They consecrated the ears of corn, which from this were well kept until the next year.

Girls spoke apples to get married this year and become happy. Eating the fruits, they made a wish for a groom, saying: “What is thought is contrived! What is imagined will come true! What will come true - will not pass!

Despite the fact that work in the fields was still ongoing, the Apple Savior was especially revered, so folk festivals were organized with songs and dances.

Traditions and customs of the Apple Savior

According to tradition, from the Apple Savior, they began to harvest fruits, mainly apples and grapes. From the very morning it was customary to bring fresh fruits to the church in order to consecrate them. A variety of treats were traditionally prepared from consecrated apples.

Some of the consecrated fruits were left in the church. The other part went to treat the suffering, the poor and the needy. So it was customary to drive away need from oneself and call for well-being. They treated themselves to the rest of the fruits and prepared festive dishes.

Another folk tradition was associated with parents who lost their children. Mothers were forbidden to eat apples until the day of the Savior. On August 19, a woman who lost a child had to go to the child's grave and leave a few consecrated apples there. It was believed that if the parents complied with the church prohibition, their children in the next world would be given gifts and treats from heavenly apples.

This tradition has been transformed over time, and now many simply go to the cemetery in Spas, put apples on the graves of their relatives.

According to another belief, an apple eaten that day was considered magical. They made a secret wish on him, which had to come true.

Young girls, eating festive fruits, conceived the name of a person who is not indifferent to them, so that in current year to marry him. At the same time, they usually said in a whisper: “What is guessed is contrived! What is imagined will come true! What will come true - will not pass!

Opex Spas in 2018

The Opex Savior is celebrated on August 29, the day after the feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God. The Third Savior marks the final transition from summer to autumn: at this time, the August field work was completed and winter crops were planted.

On August 29, for the first time, bread was baked from a new grain crop, which is why the holiday is also called the “Bread Savior”. By this time, forest nuts, which on this day were collected and consecrated during the church service, had finally matured. According to the weather, they guessed what autumn would be like, so many signs and traditions of the Opex Spas were born.

Looking at the church calendar for 2018, you will not miss the dates of important celebrations. May good luck accompany you in all your affairs.

Traditions and customs

The most important tradition of the Nut Savior, as well as other major religious holidays, is attendance at church services and prayer.

By church tradition these days they consecrate nuts (hazel, walnuts), bread and loaves from flour of the first harvest.

On this day, according to tradition, they finished harvesting bread and baked the first loaf of flour from the new crop. Bread was consecrated in the church and then eaten by the whole family.

In the old days, there were such proverbs: “The Third Savior has stored up bread”, “If the Third Savior is good, there will be kvass in winter.”

The rite to keep the remains of the first loaf, wrapped in a linen cloth behind the icon, has been preserved in some villages to this day. People believed that in this way they lured prosperity into the house and protected the family from hunger.

Fairs were organized in many cities and villages on Khlebny or Nut Spas - it was believed that trade on this day would be especially favorable.

At the fairs, one could find an abundance of various fabrics, for which the villagers willingly came, as there was an opinion among the people that on this day something should be purchased from fabrics.

Bread (Nut) Savior was not customary to celebrate with some in a special way, since at that time the suffering was in full swing, and people had no time for entertainment. They attended church in the morning, sanctified nuts, bread, grains and set off to prepare a field for winter crops.

Also on this day, housewives prepare a medicinal nut tincture: jumpers walnuts pour vodka and insist in a dark place.

Walnut Spas was no longer celebrated on such a grand scale as Apple and Honey. Summer was ending, the cold was beginning, so people tried to quickly prepare food in their barns.

At lunch we went to church to consecrate bread and pies made from new grain. They prayed before the icon of the martyr Diomede.

By evening, the peasants were cleaning the healing underground springs, cleaning the wells. In general, preparing for autumn and winter. And then they sat down at the table. It was customary to serve a tincture based on walnuts, as well as bread and pies.

Well, we ended the day with a bath. People made brooms from hazel, which protected them from diseases and the evil eye.

The housewives baked bread and pies with mushrooms, prepared various dishes with the addition of nuts and treated them to their relatives and friends. Since the Dormition Fast ended, dishes of meat and fish were put on the table. But the main dishes were:

• fresh bakery;
• nuts;
• apples with honey.

On August 14, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Origin (wearing) of the ancient Cross of the Lord. Among the people, the first day of the Dormition Fast is called Honey Savior. In various regions, Honey Spas is also called the First Spas, Poppy Spas, Wet Spas, Spas on the Water, Lakomka, Honey Holiday, Medol, Bee Festival, Seeing Summer, Spasovka, Maccabeus.

The Honey Savior is called because the honeycombs in the hives are full by mid-August, and the beekeepers start collecting honey. It was believed that if the beekeeper did not break the comb, then the neighboring bees would pull out all the honey. According to tradition, it was allowed to eat honey consecrated by the church from this very day. Honey was eaten with bread or various dishes. Housewives baked honey cakes, pancakes with poppy seeds and honey, pies, buns, buns with poppy seeds. The villagers knew that honey has a special power and is suitable for the treatment of many diseases.

August 14 is also the day of remembrance of the seven Old Testament martyrs Maccabees. And, as has happened more than once in Russian history, Christian customs overlapped in a peculiar way with Russian customs and rituals: the Maccabees Memorial Day merged with the ancient Russian rite of seeing off the summer and is celebrated by the people as the Macavey holiday - in the dishes served at the festive table, there is always a poppy , which by this time ripens.

Savior on the Water Honey Savior is named in honor of the small blessing of water. In Russia, it was customary to make a procession on natural reservoirs for the blessing of water. After procession bathed in water and bathed livestock to wash away sin and be healthier. Also, it was at this time that new wells were consecrated and old ones were cleaned.

After the Honey Savior, they no longer swam: summer is waning, the water is blooming, the birds are silent, the bees do not wear fees, the rooks gather in flocks and prepare to fly away, roses fade, the first swallows and swifts fly away. For the peasant, it is a painful time, field work, haymaking, harvest. Peasants are preparing threshing floors, barns for new crop bread, arable land for winter crops. The farewell to summer begins with the Savior. They say: The Savior has everything in store: rain, and a bucket, and gray weather. By the weather of this day, they judge what the third Savior will be like.

Sayings and signs of the Honey Savior

• On the first Savior, holy wells, bathe horses in the river, pinch peas, prepare a threshing floor, plow under winter.
• Pasha under the winter, this winter.
• Poppies are harvested on Maccabees.
• Rain on Maccabee - there are few fires.
• Roses are blooming, good dews are falling.
• From the first rescue, the dew is good.
• On the first rescue, the deer dipped his hoof (the water is cold).
• The bee stops wearing honey bribe.
• Break (cut) honeycombs.
• In that Maccabees, in that and breaking the fast.
• The first Savior is to stand on the water, the second Savior is to eat apples, the third Savior is to sell canvases on the green mountains.

Apple Spas

On August 19, 2017, the Russian Orthodox Church venerates the Transfiguration of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. Popular name for the holiday Great Spas or Apple Spas. Numerous folk rituals were timed to celebrate the Apple Savior. By folk omens, Apple Savior means the onset of autumn and the transformation of nature. It is generally accepted that the nights after August 19 become much colder. Before the Savior, it is not allowed to eat apples and apple dishes. But on this day, on the contrary, it is supposed to pluck and consecrate apples and other fruits of the new crop.

People, depending on the region, also call the Apple Savior the Savior, the Second Savior, the Feast of the First Fruits, the Savior on the Mountain, the Middle Savior, the Pea Day, the First Autumn, the Autumn, the Transfiguration.

Apple Savior is also called the "first autumn", that is, the meeting of autumn. It is believed that this holiday is designed to remind people of the need for spiritual transformation. According to tradition, on this day, at first they treated relatives, friends, as well as orphans, the poor, with apples, as a remembrance of their ancestors who fell asleep in eternal sleep, and only then they themselves ate.

In the old days, all believers certainly celebrated Apple Savior, baked pies with apples, cooked apple jam and treated each other to them. And in the evening everyone went out into the field to celebrate the sunset with songs, and with it the summer.

Sayings and signs of the Apple Savior

• What is the second Savior, such is January.
• What is the day on the Second Savior, such is the Protection.
• A dry day portends a dry autumn, a wet one portends a wet one, and a clear one portends a harsh winter.
• On this day, they see off the sunset in the field with songs.
• Meeting of autumn - Oseniny.
• On the second Spas, apples and honey are consecrated.
• On the second Spas and the beggar will eat an apple.
• Until the second Savior, they do not eat any fruit except cucumbers.
• Who wants when (to fly away), and the crane to the Savior.
• When you eat the first apple, "what is contrived - will come true, what will come true - will not pass."
• The Savior has come - it's time for everything.
• The second Savior has come, take your mittens in reserve.
• On the second Spas, take the heads in reserve.
• From the second rescue, sow winter.
• If sowing of rye falls during the midnight (northern) wind, then - according to the sign - the rye will come out stronger and larger in grain.
• If, when sowing rye, it rains finely, like beads, then it is God who gives the news about the harvest; and if it rains, it is better not to continue sowing, but rather to turn the shafts home.

Walnut Spas

On Khlebny Spas they bake pies from new bread. Consecrated on the Savior and the ears of a new crop. The people said Savior - we have plenty of bread, the Third Savior has stored bread. From the Spas, which was the border between the summer and autumn cycle of work, in some places they began sowing winter crops, dug early potatoes. Harvesting of hazelnuts also began with the third Spas. For the festive table, the housewives prepared pastries and other dishes with nuts. In most villages in Russia, there were no big holidays on this day, as preparations began for the completion of summer field work before the onset of rains. But in the cities from this day Velikodenskie festivities begin. On the Third Spas, fairs were organized, canvases and linen were sold, which is why Saps is also called Kholshchev.

Sayings and signs of Nut Savior

• The Third Savior has stored up bread.
• The Third Spas is good - there will be kvass in winter.
• Harvest for nuts - a harvest of bread for next year.
• There is no harvest for nuts for two years in a row.
• If the crane flies off to the third Spas, then it will be frosty on Pokrov.
• Departure of swallows.
• Swallows fly away three times, three Spas.
• In what Evdokei, in that and the third Savior.
• First Savior - standing on the water; the second Spas - they eat apples; the third Spas - canvases are sold on the green mountains.
• To look up the days to Petrov, to fence up to Ilyin, to sow to the Savior.

Apple and Walnut Spas. From year to year, the days on which they fall remain unchanged.

Spas- common name for the three holidays Orthodox Church: Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Transfer miraculous image Savior. It is believed that the name was given in honor of Jesus Christ the Savior.

Honey Spas, August 14 (First Spas, Makovey)

Which came to Ukraine from Byzantium, where in the IX century. during the week, parts of the Holy Cross were worn around Constantinople in order to cleanse the city of epidemics and "evil spirits".

On August 14, it is customary to honor the memory of the seven martyrs of Maccabees, who led the uprising for faith in the one God and were severely punished for this. Our ancestors believed that on the day of the Honey Savior, Vladimir decided to baptize Russia, so in the churches they blessed the water in the Dnieper, bathed cattle, and cleaned wells.

Makovey in Ukraine It's not just a religious holiday. From that day on, they always started autumn field work and honey collection, the swallows began to fly away, and the people were preparing to see off the summer.

According to ancient customs, water, honey and poppy are holy on Makovey. Lenten borscht with mushrooms and "Shulyk" are prepared at home. Bouquets of flowers and herbs are brought to the temple - "poppy seeds". It is believed that if you do not consecrate the flowers on the First Savior, then the economy will not bloom.

See: Honey Savior or Makovey is celebrated by Eastern Rite Christians

Apple Savior, August 19 (middle Savior, Great Savior)

To this day, believers carefully prepare for two weeks, the main thing: you can’t eat apples, especially women (this is how they try to warn against Eve’s sinful act).

The most common belief in our country was one belief: in the next world, children whose parents do not eat apples to this day are given gifts (among them are paradise apples). But for those children whose parents tried apples, no. Therefore, many parents, especially those whose children have died, consider it a great sin to eat an apple before the Second Savior.

On this day, apples have healing properties, you can even make a wish by biting off a piece - all of them will surely come true. Therefore, they, along with other fruits, are sacred and various dishes are prepared from them. Preparations for the winter also begin.

See: How to make a talisman for Apple Spas?

Nut Spas, August 29 (Third Spas, Khlebny Spas)

By the Third Savior, as a rule, they finished the harvest and baked pies from the flour of the new harvest. Therefore, the holiday was called Khlebny. At this time, hazelnuts also ripen and their mass collection begins, which is the reason for the second name.