August in the Christian church is very rich in celebrations. This month, three Spas are celebrated in honor of the Savior. So what church holiday do believers celebrate on August 18? On this day, everyone is preparing for the Apple Savior, waiting for the Transfiguration of the Lord, which is celebrated the next day, August 19th. What is the meaning of this holiday? This question interests many.
Fore-festivity on August 18th. Orthodox feast of the Transfiguration August 19
Already in the evening, all Christians are preparing for the morning service dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord, which is celebrated on August 19th. This event was described by the Evangelist Luke. The whole story took place during the earthly life of Jesus, when, together with his disciples, he walked around Palestine and preached the Good News. Once on Mount Tabor in the presence of his three disciples - James, Peter and John - Jesus gave himself up to prayer. Suddenly, his face shone, his clothes shone white, and a cloud of light appeared around the teacher. Two people talked to him - Elijah and Moses. They descended from heaven to tell Jesus about his outcome, the trials that he will endure on the cross, about the resurrection, about his mission in this world. At this time, the disciples of the savior were dozing, but the light emanating from the speakers awakened them. They saw God's grace, a miracle. They were visited by a desire to prolong this moment. Not remembering what they were talking about, they offered to build three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, but then a cloud covered them, and they heard the voice of the Most High. He prophesied from heaven that they should listen to their teacher Jesus, the son of God. When the voice ceased, the cloud dispersed, and the disciples saw that only Jesus was left on the mountain. At that time, the disciples kept silent about this wonderful story and did not reveal the secrets of the Transfiguration to anyone.
On the eve of the Transfiguration of the Lord, all believers remember this amazing story, because it was then that Christ first manifested his divine essence in front of his three disciples. On that day, John, Peter, James saw the light of Tabor, which radiated not only the face of Jesus, but also all his clothes. All the icons of the Transfiguration scene depict this divine light.
Apple Spas
Having found out which church holiday August 18 is expected by believers, it is necessary to mention that on the day of the Transfiguration the second Savior is celebrated, which has the name Apple.
Apple Savior is the second name of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Many folk signs, rituals, and beliefs are associated with it. So, for example, it was believed that parents who lost children should in no case eat apples until this day, in thisIn the case of their children in the next world, paradise apples are handed out. On the day of the Transfiguration, parents take apples consecrated in the church to the graves of their dead children. If the graves of their dead babies are somewhere far away, then they spread apples to others, even to other people's children.
In general, all believers have been preparing baskets of apples since the evening of August 18th. Believers celebrate the Orthodox feast of the Transfiguration the next day, bless fruits, break the fast, treat all relatives and friends. In the old days, from that day on, they began to harvest apples for future use, dry them, make jam, bake them in an oven with honey. They distributed apples to the poor, begging, needy, baked pies, various sweets. Broad festivities, spacious generous fairs were dated for this day.
Eusigny of Antioch
Besides the Transfiguration, what church holiday is August 18 in the church calendar? On this day, the Great Martyr Eusignius of Antioch is remembered, the people call him Zhitnik. This saint lived a long measured life. He faithfully served the Roman Empire for 60 years. He was the interlocutor of the most holy Basilisk. Once he had a vision - an image of the sign of the cross in the starry sky. After the service, already at a respectable age, Eusignius returned to his native Antioch, lived in prayer, and attended the temple. With the coming to power of the pagan Julian the Apostate, the elder was arrested for his faith in Christ. He was given severe torture in prison. He was not afraid to speak at the court against the Antichrists, for which he paid with his life. Evsignia was executed at the respectable age of 110.
Zhitnik
What church holiday is August 18? It is called Zhitnik in honor of Eusignius of Antioch. It was on this day that they cajoled the mother earth, consecrated it in order to expel the evil force from the stubble. In the old days, girls on Zhitnik collected a “vital uterus”: they looked for dropped stalks on the mowed stubble. And whoever found one with the largest number of spikelets was considered the most fortunate. "Zhytnaya womb" was kept at home in front of the icons. A stalk with twelve spikelets brought happiness to the owner's house. People believed that the uterus could help in any business, but only three times, then its strength was lost. So they asked her only about the most intimate. On Zhitnik bread was baked from the first grinding of barley.
Job Ushchelsky
Having analyzed in detail what kind of religious holiday Christians expect on August 18, of course, it must be said that on this day believers remember the martyr Job Ushchelsky. In the 17th century, he founded a monastery in the Arkhangelsk province on the Mezen River. The monks lived here in poverty, and when Tsar Michael granted them lands, fish plots, the Monk Job arranged cells here, founded a church.
Life in the monastery began to improve, they accepted all those in need. One day, when all the brethren went to hay and Job was left alone, robbers attacked the monastery. They cruelly tortured the Monk Job, demanded that he hand over the monastery treasures. After terrible tortures, they beheaded the martyr. Icons of Job became famous for miracles. He is depicted inhands with a scroll in which it is written that one should not be afraid of those who kill the body, they cannot destroy the soul.
