Apple Spas is a holiday with a long history and traditions. Being still pre-Christian, it symbolized the transition of the summer season to autumn and was marked by harvest. On this day, baked cakes and performed special rituals of appeasing the gods for the blessing and serenity of the earth.
With the advent of Orthodoxy, after some twists and turns, the holiday received a second name - the Transfiguration of God. This meaning is associated with the last days of the life of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Savior or Transfiguration of the Lord Orthodox Christians celebrate on August 19.
Story
The events described in the Gospel tell us that shortly before the crucifixion, the Lord Jesus, along with His disciples, came to the limits of Galilee. And taking Peter, James, and John with Him, he went up with them to the high mountain of Tabor. St. Theophylact explains this decision of Christ by the fact that the disciples were taken to testify to the glory of the Lord. Thus the Scripture was fulfilled, according to which every word will be true only with two or three witnesses.
How long they have been on this mountain, history is silent. But at some point Jesus was transformed in front of the disciples in white sparkling clothes, and His face changed and began to shine. After this appearance, the Old Testament prophets came to the Savior and began to talk about His imminent death.
The essence of the holiday
Transfiguration on the mountain was symbolic. It shows what awaits pious people in eternal life. The holiday is called to remind the living today of the need to transform and purify the soul, as the will of the Lord for each person.
Mount Tabor, according to theologians, symbolizes a secluded place for prayer, during which there are amazing changes in the human soul. She is cleansed from sins and experiences identification with heaven. It is believed that Christ on this day displayed His divine essence in a mortal body.
Thus, all the traditions and symbols (apples and treats) are just the outside of the holiday, its depth is truly amazing.
Celebration of the Transfiguration
The festival, according to legend, should take place in a state of quiet peace, reverence for the Lord for His mercy. The Assumption Lent, which begins on August 14, is the forerunner of the holiday and includes special nutrition - you can’t eat meat, fish, dairy products. But fasting restrictions have concessions to Apple Savior.
What are doing on this day:
- must visit the temple;
- prepare pies, pastries, a variety of apple dishes;
- show mercy and goodness;
- in the evening they set the table and invite relatives and friends for a treat.
What can not be done at Apple Spas?
As a rule, the understanding of the holiday for many people is associated with an abundance of food, entertainment and idleness. But gluttony and sinful amusements - this is something that can not be done in any case on Apple Savior. Since we are talking about both changes in nature and the spiritual transformations of the human soul.
Negative emotions are also unacceptable on this holy day. It is believed that spoken, done, or mental evil can return a hundredfold.
Greed is something that cannot be done at Apple Spas. We condemn one of the deadly sins by Orthodoxy, and, moreover, it will be inappropriate on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Work or not work?
This is the most burning topic of conversation on the eve of the holiday. The question is of concern to many, as situations can be different. Having at least a fraction of God-fear, I would not want to sin on such days. But nobody canceled the shift at work, urgent calls and force majeure. And suddenly, for example, there was a need to help chop wood to an elderly neighbor. What to do, is it possible to work for Apple Spas?
Unfortunately, in their religious zeal, people tend to go to extremes. Therefore, many moments the priests have to prescribe to the point.
For most of our compatriots, holidays are the only weekend when there is an opportunity to clean up the house, clean, wash, shake carpets. And those who are quicker even manage to make repairs. Is it possible to take care of my home in Apple Spas? This Christian holiday, like all others like it, categorically excludes matters of this kind.
You cannot work on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord. But if you have a responsible work that cannot be postponed and postponed, or on which other people will depend, then it will not be considered a sin on this day. Helping the elderly, widows and sick people is also not a sin.
It is worth considering another point. Some believers, paying tribute to the holiday in the morning, believe that you can work after lunch. "Is there an apple Spas or something else, " they say, " and who will do my work?" Such a position carries a sin, because worldly vanity cannot be more important than spiritual values. This day should be completely consecrated and set apart for the Lord.
It is sad if the holiday will be reduced only to a set of rules "impossible - possible." Whether to work for Apple Savior or not is a private matter of faith, god-fearing and consciousness of each person.
As a separate paragraph, it should be emphasized that on this day only labor associated with the harvest is allowed. In other words, if you are very numb and have a desire to work hard, then whether in summer cottages or vegetable gardens you can work for Apple Savior. It will not be considered a sin. For other specific issues it is better to consult with the priest.
Consecration of fruits on the day of the Transfiguration
According to tradition, early in the morning fresh fruits were brought to the church, usually grapes and apples. At the end of the liturgy, when the priest says a special prayer, the fruits are consecrated, after which one part of the brought gifts of the earth is left by the parishioners in the church for the servants, the other is distributed to the suffering and the poor, and from the remaining mistress they prepare festive dishes for refreshments. It was believed that this action drives away all need and ailment from the family.
You can also bring other fruits and vegetables for consecration, something that your garden has mutilated, but only so that they are a new crop. But it is undesirable to consecrate purchased fruits.
National signs on Apple Spas
The religious traditions of the feast of the Lord's Transfiguration are closely intertwined with folk beliefs and customs in Russia, which have always been revered and passed on from generation to generation. Carrying apples to the graves of deceased relatives, generous refreshments for the poor, distributing the harvest between poor neighbors - this is what they did at Apple Spas.
Christians have believed in the signs that are associated with the holiday for centuries:
- If the weather is rainy on this day, then autumn is expected to be warm and dry, and winter is generous in snow.
- If the holiday was hot, then in winter there will be little snow.
- If the apple trees gave a good harvest, then next year we should expect an abundance of bread.
- The weather of this day will show what the weather will be like on Pokrov.
And since ancient times in Russia there is a belief: how a person will pass Apple Savior, such will be his next year. Therefore, the people on this day in a special way tried to be kind, generous and merciful, forgiving their offenders and debtors.