Nowadays, there are a large number of church holidays. We’ll talk about one of them today. Also consider what traditions exist associated with it. In addition, the theme of the meal will be discussed, as well as what should be cooked on this day. So what kind of holiday is Macovei? Most people know him under a completely different name. They know him as Honey Spas. During this period, healthy honey is pumped in apiaries, and poppy is already beginning to ripen. There is an opinion that the holiday Macovei is a real harvest festival. Perhaps that is so. And if you start deciphering the word itself, it turns out to be a "poppy festival." Because the word consists of two parts: "poppy" and "wei".
Flowers and bouquets - charms for home and family
What is so special about this peculiar holiday Macovei? On this day, all people gathered bouquets of flowers of asters, carnations, marigolds, herbs of cornflowers, mint, wormwood and yarrow. Residents of different areas added their plants and herbs. So there were bouquets with carrots, corn, peas, dill. Weaved wreaths and added a candle in them. In every such national "masterpiece", the owner invested hope for the yield of the year and prosperity in the house. But the obligatory attribute of such a bouquet was the poppy, its ripe heads.
Such a bouquet was called in a special and very gentle way - "poppy". With these flowers, all parishioners were sent to the church to serve. There they consecrated the collected herbs. Arriving home, the bouquet is removed for the icon. Such a poppy was used to preserve their housing and cattle living in the yard. It was believed that these seeds will be able to protect the newly born child from the "evil eye".
Therefore, they scattered poppies in front of the threshold of their houses. Many believed that if you scatter seeds in a circle and stand in this "drawn" amulet, you can get rid of all evil, and forever. All consecrated herbs healed any disease, cleansed well water and returned family happiness to the house. Exactly one year later on the holiday of Makovei, when a new bouquet was ready, the old one had to be burned.
Also, honey was brought to the church for consecration, a ritual dish - “shuliki”. This interesting pastry consisted of cakes, broken into pieces, drenched in water with honey and mashed poppy seeds.
Each housewife cooked her own special meal that day. Who baked pies, donuts and pies. But poppy seeds and honey were added to any cooked dish or dough. There is such an interesting tradition.
Holy water
On the holiday Macovei was especially careful about water. The middle of August is always hot. Due to the arid summer, massive diseases could start. They consecrated the water, believing that it was purified with this rite. Therefore, there is another name for this holiday - Water or Wet Savior. They tried to dig a new well for this day, they prepared holy water for the sick, pregnant and children. In addition, stacks of hay and straw were sprinkled with it, so that the mice bypassed and did not arrange their nests in the cocks. On this day in Byzantium, during a period of drought, the cross on which Jesus was crucified was purified.
Healthy honey
Why poppy is considered a sacred plant on the holiday of Makovei, this is understandable. But why it was equivalent to treating honey in Russia is not clear. Probably because it is a very useful product of labor of bees. And before, honey was added to almost all dishes, sugar was replaced with them, and even used to prepare various meat dishes.
What is served on the table during the holiday?
But the holiday of Makovei is known and celebrated not only in Russia. In Georgia, Ukraine and Romania, they also observe Orthodox traditions and celebrate in their own way. In each house, corn porridge with honey and poppy seeds is necessarily served to the table. This dish was cut with a knife, as it was very thick. Drinks also contained honey and herbal decoctions.
So, if the housewives want to please their loved ones with original cuisine, it should be remembered that this will be very useful on August 14, the holiday of Macovei is a special day. Therefore, you need to cook delicious and healthy dishes. I just want to give one piece of advice: before adding poppy seeds to the dough, first it should be chopped and soaked in water. Juiciness and aroma are provided.
Another name explanation
Orthodox Christians have their own explanation for the event to which the holiday is dedicated. It is worth turning to the Old Testament. They are honored and remembered by the holy martyrs, the seven Maccabees, who refused to accept the pagan faith, since they believed only in the True God. The brothers, along with their mother Solomonia and teacher Eleazar, were put to death that day. From this day, people begin to observe the two-week strict Assumption fast. Therefore, the day of August 14 is rightfully considered and celebrated as a church holiday of Macovei.
Nowadays, this is one of the biggest events for Orthodox believers. In all churches and temples, the Life-Giving Cross is necessarily endured, they are worshiped and asked to be free from all diseases and forgive sins. On this day, the last time they bathed horses and other cattle, and washed themselves in rivers and lakes in order to gain strength and health.
Shuliki - delicious pastries for children and adults
August 14 is the holiday of Macovei. It pleases with delicious pastries, especially to kids. Unusual shuliks, which were mentioned earlier, can be cooked and served. The dough is prepared lean and fresh. It is suitable for baking in the oven and for frying in a pan. Yeast dough is prepared as follows. You will need one glass of water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, three tablespoons of vegetable oil, three glasses of flour and 1 teaspoon of yeast.
You need to knead a cool dough. Roll out, cut into small pieces and send for baking in the oven. This is only one part, the so-called blank. Now you need to make poppy sauce. Take 200 grams of poppy seeds. One glass of water and sugar. Pre-grind the poppy in a coffee grinder. Place everything in a pan and bring to a boil. Then add poppy seeds and simmer for 5 minutes over low heat. Pour the baked dough pieces into the cooked sauce. That's all, the dish is ready. Now it can be safely served on the table.
Little conclusion
Now you know when the holiday of Makovei comes. On August 14th this happens. This holiday during the time of Russia was one of the "sweetest". The friendly hosts treated guests, friends and relatives not only with fresh honey. What goodies did not come up with women! After all, you need to have time to eat, then there will come a post. Children and adults enjoyed eating poppy seed cakes, rolls and gingerbread cookies. Pancakes were served on the table for the holiday of Makovei. On August 14, poppy seeds were poured into all the fillings for pies. And in clay pots, sweet honey of various varieties was necessarily served.