Many church holidays are important and significant only for truly believing people attending the service every Sunday, but there are in the list of celebrations marked on the Orthodox calendar, those that are loved by many residents of our country and even those who, in principle, do not attend church. These include Apple Spas. The date of this holiday, however, is a mystery to many. Mostly because many people mistakenly believe that this holiday, along with Easter and the Trinity, does not have a fixed number.
In today's article, we will find out what this day means for parishioners of the Orthodox Church, how it should be celebrated, and also find out if there are any special things that need to be addressed precisely in Apple Spas. The date on which this bright holiday falls coincides with another important event for Christians - the Transfiguration of the Lord. Let us find out what is the relationship between these saints.
Great August Festivities
August for Orthodox believers is a very significant month. The fourteenth day of this month marks the beginning of a two-week fast with which Christians honor the Most Holy Theotokos and her assumption (death). Nevertheless, in August it is also customary to celebrate a series of special holidays, which conceal not only church rites and beliefs, but also pagan roots.
Dates of Honey, Apple and Walnut Spas fall in mid-late August. This is the period of the year when the villagers gather their crops, nature generously thanks the farmers for their hard work in the fields, in the gardens, and gives people forest richness. That is why Apple Spas can be considered a harvest day. The date of this holiday is August 19th.
Holiday post
He is the second in a series of summer clergy who are an occasion for believers to thank the Lord for his gifts. The first is Honey Spas, which the Orthodox celebrate on August 14. Then the two-week fast begins. He is one of the four most significant and longest in the Orthodox faith.
However, the holy fathers explain to their parishioners the essence of this action. According to them, this post is not a time when you need to indulge in suffering and torment, on the contrary, it marks the coming of joy and God's grace. It is in this short two-week period that the dates of the Honey and Apple Savior fall (August 14 and 19). On the day of the Second Savior, the use of fish and dishes with it, and even wine, is allowed in the fasting diet. And on Khlebny, or as it is also called - Nut Savior, the fast ends, and parishioners can talk. Now let's talk in more detail about each of these festivals.
Sweet wealth
Honey Spas is the first in their series, and the most widespread Apple Spas is already following it. The date of the day when parishioners bring honey and other beekeeping products to the church for consecration is August 14th.
It is believed that until this day it is strictly forbidden to eat the amber sweetness that the bees made this year, deviation from this rule is a great sin.
In addition, this holiday is also called Makovei, and the Orthodox serve to consecrate bouquets with poppy heads, which are then stored at home behind the icons until the next sowing season. It was impossible to throw them into the trash. Since most of these traditions relate specifically to the inhabitants of the villages, the believers found a reasonable use of ritual things. So, black grains fluttering over the field, and the girl's flowers were woven into her braids.
Second Spas
Now we will tell what Apple Savior is. The date of the holiday is August 19th. According to church rules in the temples on this day a solemn service takes place, which marks the coming of the Transfiguration of the Lord. According to ancient legends, Jesus, having called his disciples to Mount Tabor, indulged in earnest prayer, after which he was transformed right before their eyes. His face and clothes shone, and a voice sounded from heaven, saying that Jesus is the son of God, who descended on people as a blessing of the Lord.
The custom to consecrate apples on this very day is explained by the instruction of Jesus to his followers, in which he said that they should collect ripened fruits from the trees and give them for consecration to his father. In addition, it is precisely at this time that colds begin, and vegetables, fruits and berries finally ripen. The time for their collection and preparation for the winter begins.
Customs and Prohibitions
It is logical that over the many years this holiday has existed, it has "grown" with a significant number of beliefs, traditions and customs. Among them there are those that are confirmed by the church, but there are those that have come since the time of the transition of people from pagan rites to Christianity.
The best-known belief is the ban on eating apples of a new crop to people whose children have died. It is believed that if a mother manages to adhere to this restriction, her child in the next world will receive a present from her guardian angel.
Also on this day, it is imperative to give alms to the poor and the poor. In addition, during this period there is a post which is associated with a reduction in expenses for believers, who must pass the saved money on to charity to the church and the poor.
Some Christians are especially zealous for the various kinds of prohibitions that are usually imposed on holidays. At Apple Spas, you should not do any serious work, such as sewing or repair, but ordinary household chores are quite acceptable. Moreover, the mistresses from time immemorial that day baked pies with apples and pears, which were customary to share with those who came to visit.
Of course, you must go to church, after which the parishioners arranged a festive dinner. The first thing to do was to eat a consecrated apple, biting off which you can make a wish, it was believed that it would come true.
Bread Spas
The last and final in a series of August religious festivities is the Bread (Nut) Spas. It comes a week after parishioners celebrate Apple Savior. The date of the celebration of the last celebration, which also means the end of the Assumption Lent, takes place on August 29.
On this day, women baked household bread, rolls and pies from the flour of a new crop, which were all the more delicious because the dough could be generously flavored with butter and eggs, because the fast was already ending.