The end of the summer season is significant for Orthodox Christians and especially for those who harvest from their gardens and farms. It is the end of summer that is characterized by many Orthodox holidays, which have long been loved by everyone for their importance among the people.
First of all, August is marked by Honey, Apple and Bread (aka Walnut) Savior. The Savior is the salvation of the soul, cleansing from sins, gaining repentance and peace of mind in the face of God. All three of these holidays are celebrated in August of each year (with a short interval). Orthodox prepare for them in advance, because they mark the beginning of the harvest, which can be eaten. Everything that was harvested during the summer is stored all autumn and winter until the next harvest. It is important that the harvest be harvested on time, not earlier than prescribed by the Orthodox calendar.
Honey Savior - put honey on the table
The first holiday falls on August 14th. On this day, Honey Savior is celebrated. The number was not chosen by chance, because by this time the honey in the combs ripens and the first harvest can be harvested. Spas is when it is customary in the church to consecrate honey, after which it becomes not just healing, but has healing properties. For a person who eats such honey, nodiseases, illnesses completely disappear and spiritual and physical forces appear in the body. It is believed that such honey promotes rejuvenation by renewing the cells of the whole body, as it is saturated with the holy spirit.
Useful information
The following recipes can be used as traditional tips.
To improve metabolic processes in the body, every morning on an empty stomach, eat a piece of bread smeared with honey. It is also recommended to dissolve honey in a glass of boiled water and drink it. This will add the whole complex of trace elements to the body, as well as improve the state of the hematopoietic system. That is why it is commonly believed that with Honey Savior a holiday begins in the house, warmth in the soul and he alth of the whole family.
What date is Apple Spas?
After the honey salvage, fasting begins immediately, during which poppy-seed pies, pancakes are baked, honey and cucumbers are eaten. In church calendars, it is referred to as the Assumption, and it is associated with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This post celebrates another holiday - Apple Savior. The number 19 marks the transition to autumn, and this great holiday is important for the parishioners and all who grow apples, and for ordinary laity. It is pleasant to treat the poor, the sick and everyone who meets with a fresh harvest. The blessed Apple Savior is the beginning of the first frosts or simply a drop in temperature on the soil.
Apples ripen just in time for this holiday. Many varieties are ripe in August, and therefore it is believed thatyou can try them only from August 19.
On this day, August 19, a great Orthodox holiday is celebrated - the Transfiguration of the Lord, when fruits from trees are brought to all churches for refreshment and illumination. All apples become magical and fulfill the most cherished desires.
History of the holiday
The beginning of this holiday falls on the time of the life of Jesus Christ. Before the crucifixion, Jesus prayed so earnestly on Mount Tabor that the disciples present at the same time noticed how the Lord was transformed, and his clothes shone with white heavenly light. This confirmed the fact that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and therefore the holiday is called “The Transfiguration of the Lord.”
This holiday is associated with events that help a person find a way to God and through repentance to be spiritually transformed. To do this, you need to remember all your bad deeds and repent, then the Lord will help you find the true path and forgive all sins.
In agriculture, the beginning of the Apple Savior is associated with the planting of winter crops. In ancient times, Orthodox farmers invited priests to receive a blessing, who prayed that the next harvest would be just as good, and thanked God for a fruitful year. In Russia, they saw off the day with songs, because it was believed that from that day the first autumn sun began to shine. After that, the first cold weather had already set in, which meant that it was necessary to start preparing for winter.
Nut Spas - the beginning of autumn
The next event in August is Nut Spas - this is a holiday whennuts, bread ripen, and therefore it is called both Nut and Bread at the same time. On Nut Savior, it is customary to visit the temple to receive a blessing for the next year and give thanks for the harvest this season.
August 29 is Nut Spas. This number, like the previous holidays, helps people to unite in order to thank the Lord God for the harvest, because it is on this day that bread ripens in the fields. In Orekhovy, also known as Khlebny Savior, it is customary to treat with nuts and eat them. It is not necessary to consecrate the nuts.
The Walnut Savior is also called Not Made by Hands, which means that the image of Christ is not made by hands. This name also came from the time of the life of Jesus Christ. The story goes that Jesus, after washing his face with water, wiped his face with a towel, which displayed his face. Then, an image of Christ was painted from this towel, which was passed from one generation of emperors to another, but was lost in the 12th century and restored only in copies.
Blessed season
With the advent of the Nut Savior, the time begins to gather mushrooms and berries in the forests. All holidays are associated precisely with the transition from one season of the year to another. So people learned to follow the sequence in harvesting, they could properly eat ripe food, store it for the winter and treat various diseases.
During the Walnut Savior, hazel branches were harvested and put into habitual use as a talisman against evil forces and ailments. Hazel is also used for brooms in baths. With their help, many rheumatic and catarrhal diseases are cured.
The power of nature is given to man through fruits
Nuts, like honey, were especially valued in Russia, because they contain all the power of nature. Tinctures were made from cedar, which subsequently healed various diseases of the internal organs. In particular, tincture of pine nuts can increase human immunity. A person uses all the gifts of nature with the mind and the blessing of the Lord, therefore holidays are often associated with Christian celebrations in order to further strengthen faith and spirituality. Many healers observe church fasts in order to use certain ingredients in their recipes that ripen in certain seasons of the year.
Thus, the gifts of nature contribute to strengthening human he alth, strengthening the spirit of the Orthodox, and in addition, they are a symbol of the unification of the people.
