Honey rescue. Poppy, First or Honey Savior - traditions, rituals, signs
The Dormition fast begins with the Honey Savior. The wonderful celebration included both Christian and folk traditions, the observance of which will help to tune in to spiritual self-improvement.
The Assumption Fast is a single fast in honor of the Blessed Virgin. During the period of abstinence, a strict veto will be imposed on excesses in food. Fasting is strict, but the menu during this period will definitely not be monotonous - it is not for nothing that the people called it “Gourmet”. The beginning of the post opens Honey or Poppy Spas. The clergy are not forbidden to observe the folk traditions of this day, but they urge not to forget about the sublimity and significance of the sacred celebration celebrated on this day.
Honey Savior: the origin and customs of the holiday
On August 14, the Church celebrates the Origin of the honest trees of the Life-Giving Cross. The history of the holiday originates in ancient times. A deadly epidemic broke out in Constantinople. In order to somehow stop the disease, the authorities decided to remove the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, on which Jesus was crucified, from the temple. As soon as he was dipped into all reservoirs, rivers and water sources, salvation descended: the epidemic disease left the city. This miraculous healing served as the beginning of the feast of the Honey Savior, or Savior on the Water, famous among Christians. The customs of the celebration were preserved: it is customary to consecrate water in churches and houses, as well as to conduct religious processions to water sources.
It is on the first day of the Dormition Fast that bee hives are overflowing with honey, and it must be collected. It is customary to consecrate a sweet delicacy in the church. Honey is given as a sign of respect, and also distributed to those in need. On Honey Spas, you can not indulge yourself with meat and fish treats. The table should be decorated with traditional dishes: pancakes with honey, poppy seeds and mead.
The third name of this holiday is Poppy Spas. According to legend, it is on this day that poppies ripen. After harvesting, it must be consecrated in the temple. From poppy, our ancestors prepared not only festive treats, but also amulets from the evil eye and damage. For example, poppy seeds placed under the threshold will protect your home from negative influences. A poppy bouquet, complemented by sunflower, mint, oregano, wormwood and viburnum, will become an original decoration of your interior and a protector from the evil eye, damage and witchcraft.
Traditions of the Honey Savior
It is customary for women and young girls to repent on Poppy Spas. According to the clergy, on this day God is merciful to the fair sex and forgives all sins.
It is customary to eat illuminated traditional dishes. On this day, housewives bake various bakery products with the addition of honey and poppy seeds, which have been popular since ancient times.
On the first Spas, the harvest of the first harvest begins.
The Makovian bouquet, complemented by various plants, has magical powers and serves not only as a home amulet, but also as a magnet for attracting happiness, prosperity and abundance to the house. Often such a bouquet is given to people suffering from insomnia.
To make hair stronger, not fall out and not split, dried poppy flowers are braided into them on Honey Spas.
On this day, it is customary to help the poor and starving people, give consecrated gifts and commemorate the dead. Part of the honey and poppy seeds should be left in the church to treat all parishioners and clergy.
On Poppy Spas, our ancestors helped widows and orphans with the housework: they swept all the rubbish, washed the floors and dishes from dirt, brought treats and provided material support in whatever way they could.
Signs on Honey Spas
The beginning of August is always marked by three Spas, the first of which is Honey. They are named in honor of the Savior. After the Poppy Savior, it is no longer possible to plunge into the reservoirs. It is believed that this holiday heralds the end of summer and the beginning of the flowering of water. It is customary to see off the heat and prepare for the winter. Signs on Honey Spas:
- Spas on the water - time to bless the water, so that later it can be treated;
- Get ready for winter so you don't starve;
- The collected poppy is the protector of well-being and happiness in the family;
- If it rains, it will save you from fires;
- Roses have faded - summer has faded;
- The deer washed its hooves in the water - you can’t swim;
- The Honey Savior has come - the bee will no longer bring honey.
The traditions of the Honey Savior will help you meet the holiday in all the rules and enlist the help of the Higher Powers. Do not neglect such an important and sacred holiday, on which you can change your life for the better. We wish you a great mood. be happy and don't forget to press the buttons and
August 14 - the first Savior, Savior honey, Savior on the water. This is the first of three holidays in August that are dedicated to the Savior, Jesus Christ. The full church name is "The origin of the honest trees of the honest and life-giving Cross of the Lord."
The emergence of this holiday is explained by the fact that during the hot August days, Constantinople suffered from heat and from the spread of a large number of various diseases. And in order to somehow help the inhabitants, a custom was established to take out of the church of St. Sophia a piece of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. This was done with the aim of consecrating the whole city. The first spas used to be celebrated without unnecessary frills and pomp, because at that time the simple peasant had no time for rest. However, some traditions were still observed. From August 14, they began to harvest poppies, so this spas is called poppy or Makovey.
They called this spas and honey, as it was believed that from that time on, bees stop collecting pollen from flowers. And it was on this day, having previously consecrated it in the church, that they began to eat honey. All the children gathered near the church or in the apiary to feast on honey. It was impossible to refuse on this day, so honey was generously poured into cups or into twisted leaves. Therefore, you can hear the following saying: "The first Savior is a gourmet."
Honey Savior has come,
With what I want to congratulate you.
I wish you warmth
Life to be sweet.
Do not get sick all year round
Eat delicious, fresh honey.
Summer is coming to an end
But honey will remind of him!
Spas Honey, Makovey,
church bells,
On the lips of honey sweetness,
Joy in my heart and soul.
Let the first Savior bring
Honey for us for a whole year.
I wish you all well
Life without sin and evil.
Saved let him take communion with honey,
Blesses for good.
Congratulations on the Honey Savior! I wish that in life there was more sun, warmth and summer lasted a long, long time! Let your stocks be well kept, and prosperity be replenished with honey sweetness! Health, patience, diligence, sincerity and simplicity. May there always be prosperity and understanding in your home!
Honey Savior has come,
I congratulate you on this!
So that you live in abundance,
Everyone would have in reserve.
Don't let obstacles scare you
And only just temper.
Happiness for many years
Be healthy always!
I hasten to congratulate you all,
After all, the Honey Savior came to us!
May the holiday bring happiness
So that the sweet life is like honey,
Smile as often as possible
And enjoy a bright life
I wish the sun, peace, fret
And a positive charge!
Spas Honey arrived in time,
Seeing off summer.
In honeycombs, honey has already ripened,
Holiday promising.
This day of the calendar
They call Gourmand not in vain:
First Spas, Honey Spas,
Got something for us
Cooked sweets
For honey joy!
Honey Savior is fragrant,
Brings goodness and light to people.
Honey sparkles with an amber sheen,
The heart blossoms with joy.
I wish you a sweet honey life,
May God's grace descend upon you.
The family was so big, healthy!
Love you, happiness! Sorrows do not know.
Congratulations on the Honey Savior,
I wish you a sweet life
May the Lord help you
Keeps from troubles, insults and dramas.
Open your heart to prayer
Ask honestly, from the heart,
Let your thoughts be pure
All intentions are good.
Good to you, peace and prosperity,
In the family - love and understanding,
Good luck to you in good deeds,
Happy years and prosperity.
Happy Holidays, God bless you!
Eat honey and drink kvass.
From the bottom of my heart I wish
Keep calm and peace in the soul,
Delay with old age.
Let life be sweet like honey
Health stormy river
Bathes you in its waves.
And let a smile on your lips
From happiness and joy
Doesn't leave you.
And tenderness and sweetness
I wish you this Savior!
First Spas, honey Spas!
Oh, so we have a reason -
Wonderful and sweet -
For fun without looking back.
Less angry, don't fuss
And you can treat yourself to honey.
Eat it to your heart's content,
He is useful, you listen to us!
Eat pies now
Rejoice you day and hour
Smile, celebrate the Savior!
May life be sweet as honey.
Let happiness flow like a river.
May the days be bright as heaven
And there will be no more darkness streak.
I wish that from this clean day
Life would be a fairy tale for you.
May health, prosperity and joyful ringing
Never leave your home.
August is the most fertile month of summer: everything planted and sown ripens, the harvest is harvested, everything is done to ensure that the winter is comfortable. Always in Russia, this month was rich in holidays in honor of ripe harvests, fairs, exhibitions of the best agricultural achievements. With the advent of Orthodoxy, these ancient folk celebrations intertwined with church holidays of gratitude and praise to the Savior - Jesus Christ. And, of course, these bright, beloved holidays are part of Russian culture.
Both pagan and orthodox
Three generous holidays, following one after another, are scattered throughout August in order of priority - the first Savior, the second and the third. Accordingly - Honey, Apple, Walnut. Each of these holidays has several more names associated with the traditions or activities performed on this day. According to the Orthodox calendar, Honey Savior falls on August 14 (1). On this day, the events of world history took place, in honor of which holidays were established by the church. In addition, many things happened at the everyday level, from which glorious traditions were formed over the centuries. For example, a poppy was ripening, which had to be collected. But you never know what needs to be done on the eve of winter!
So many reasons to celebrate
And the rite of consecration falls on this day, and winter crops are sown, and honey is collected. Such a milestone day-worker. And in work, a person has always had heavenly helpers and intercessors, each with his own. So, in Siberia, on the First Spas, there was a celebration in honor of Solomonides, the grandmother, who took birth with the Virgin Mary. The mythical midwife is revered as the first intercessor of mothers, pregnant women and sorceresses who, while taking birth, turned to her for support. Therefore, the First Spas, such a meaningful holiday, is called differently by the people - Poppy, Honey, Bee, etc.
Coming from Constantinople
In honor of the consecration of water, the holiday is also called this: Savior on the Water, Wet and Water. There is also such a name - Day of Origin. The name refers to the celebration that came from Constantinople, the full name of which sounds like the Predescent of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. There was always a procession on this day. In Constantinople, the Life-Giving Cross was taken out and carried around the city in order to sanctify and help the inhabitants, exhausted from the summer heat. The second church holiday, in fact, Spasov Day, the full name of which is the feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos, is dedicated to the double victory of Christian soldiers won on August 1 (old style) 1164. On this day, Andrei Bogolyubsky defeated the Volga Bulgars, the Byzantine emperor Manuel defeated the Saracens.
One of the most famous in Tsarist Russia
Many articles note that this holiday is best known as the Savior on the Water. Judging by the numerous works of art, it is obvious that this was the case before. The Russian emperor himself took part in the procession to the water, dipped into the Jordan, kissed the cross upon exit, and received the blessing of the patriarch. Then they consecrated the army. In pre-revolutionary Russia, it was a great state and church holiday. The consecration of water took place throughout the country, because Holy Russia, according to legend, was baptized on this very day.
The most popular name today
But in our time, the First Spas is better known and popular as Honey. The holiday is very loved by the people, as evidenced by hundreds of sayings, sayings and proverbs in which it is mentioned.
Dozens of customs are associated with it. It goes without saying that from the day of Spas-Gourmand they began to eat honey. Since that day, winter crops have also been sown, and peas have been tasted. Raspberries ripened in the forests, and it was also a ritual and tradition to follow them in flocks. And many, many things. But the most important thing is that on this day it was necessary to clean the honeycombs filled with honey. The first Savior in August is also called Makovey's day, or simply Makovey. Dedicated to the 7 brother martyrs, it somehow intertwined with the poppy harvest. On this day, pies are also baked with him (poppy). But still, to a greater extent, this is a holiday of beekeepers.
Traditions and beliefs have evolved over the centuries
For many centuries, traditions have developed on how to celebrate the Honey Savior. On this day, special importance is attached to both the beekeeper himself and everything that he will do, in fact, the rite. There was a belief: if you do not “break” the honey on this day, it will disappear or it will be carried away by the neighboring bees, which from that day no longer brought “honey bribes” - the day was considered a milestone. All the bees stopped carrying honey, not just the neighbors. From the very early morning, the beekeepers were already in the apiary and, following the traditions, began to “break out” the combs from the hive. First it was necessary to choose the most abundant combs, filled to capacity. Part of the extracted honey was placed in a clean dish (preference was given to wood) and taken to the church for consecration.
Spas-"sweet tooth"
Beekeepers observing all the traditions, and they had to fast from that day on, were allowed to taste the honey brought from the church. Since ancient times, this product was considered almost a panacea for all diseases. The miraculous power of consecrated honey doubled. The wish made when eating the first spoonful of consecrated honey came true without fail. For the holiday, honey cakes and gingerbread were baked, intoxicated honey (medovukha) and soft drinks from this product were prepared.
The beekeepers, and indeed all people, had to be as generous as possible on the First Spas in August, they were supposed to give honey, and not only the poor. On this occasion, there were sayings that testify that any poor man on Spas will definitely be with a honey. The beggars received their share of refreshments from the deacon's trough, which he filled at the expense of the share allotted to the church. Nothing ended there - in the evening, gangs of children arrived at the apiary with chants in which they wished health to the beekeepers, success in their work and begged for honey. The Feast of the First Spas continued for a long time.
Signs that are valid today
This first August holiday, associated with the name of the Savior, is surrounded by dozens of signs that have evolved over the centuries. Maybe now, due to environmental changes, not all of them are true, but they all belong to the rich Russian folklore. And some have not lost their relevance today.
It has been noticed that after the Honey Savior, the water in the rivers becomes very cold, swallows and swifts fly off, roses fade, abundant dew falls, bees do not carry honey. In distant corners, of which there are so many in Russia, at a time when the First Savior is on the threshold, they did not stop plowing the land for winter crops (large agricultural enterprises are more guided by considerations of utility, which does not always coincide with signs), to prepare a threshing floor in the winter. Or maybe they bathe the horses, as there was a belief that if this was not done on the First Savior, the living creatures would not survive the winter, as they would freeze. According to legend, their blood will freeze. Of course, in the outback, wells are blessed on this day, cleaned and new ones are dug (a sign says that then nothing can harm the well), and this is called the “rite of small water blessing”.
What's a holiday without pies?
It is customary on this day to bake pies and gingerbread with honey from the first flour of the new crop. Many things need to be done on this day - and pinch peas, and collect honey, and sow winter crops, consecrate all this in the church, including grain for winter crops, and go to bow to the old people so that the most ancient throws the first handful into the ground. Moreover, the women also need to have time to sin, because on this day absolutely everything was forgiven to them. The tradition of sowing fields on the First Spas also had such a prerequisite - eggs were boiled according to the number of men in the village. Which of them got the most filled, he had the right to throw the first seeds into the ground. This is in those parts where they did not turn to the help of the elders.
Notes for all occasions
The help rendered to the weak and defenseless - widows and orphans - was highly valued. Neighbors came to them with gifts and in order to provide all possible assistance - to dig up a garden or remove the same barn, to prepare firewood for the winter. There is also a saying on this subject, which says that at least a pinch should be thrown into the widow's yard. Attention was also paid to the weather. The signs said that if it rains, there will be few fires, and if the wind rises, you need to take care of your headgear. If you don’t follow, and the hat will fall to the ground - a long journey awaits you. It was noted that if storks get on the road a week before the holiday, the spring will be warm, and the winter will be early and frosty.
Spas First (Honey) served as the starting point for saying goodbye to summer. Round dances and festivities were coming to an end, serious preparations for winter and a rather tough two-week Assumption fast began.
Honey Spas everyone knows
But most people who have seen the times when atheism was state policy are not very familiar with the intricacies of church holidays. Therefore, the question of which First Savior is not at all surprising. They know that there are three holidays of the same name, one Apple, another Honey, the third Nut - and that's good.
This is especially true for the townspeople - they do not sow winter crops, do not collect honey. Yes, and you can’t watch the birds - only sparrows and crows, and the horses on the hippodromes are warm, their blood will not freeze. Numerous fairs, which are getting bigger and more colorful every year, and pandemonium near the temples make the townspeople keep abreast of events. On Spas they are no less than on Easter. Therefore, as soon as active advertising and sale of bee products begins, most people do not wonder which was the first Savior. Clearly - Honey.
Great Orthodox holidays are always associated with going to church and folk customs. Summer holidays have always been accompanied by folk festivals, dances and songs. Therefore, let's talk about the first salvation - honey. The history of its creation began even before our era in honor of our Savior. But why did the honey one save and what to do on a holiday?
What is Honey Spas? When and how do they celebrate
First, let's look at what a rescue is. Spas is an abbreviation of the word Savior, which means the Orthodox savior - Jesus Christ. These are summer holidays that are dedicated to Jesus. It originated in ancient Constantinople during a heat wave in August. Due to the high temperature, all infections and diseases quickly spread throughout the city, which caused many people to suffer. At this time, a tradition appeared to take out a piece of the cross from the church of Hagia Sophia, where the son of God was crucified, with which they consecrated water to heal from diseases.
Also, the feast of the Great Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos is associated with the signs that illuminated the icons about the victory of Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky and Emperor Manuel in battles.
On the day of the celebration of the Honey Savior, the seven brothers Maccabees are remembered, who were sacrificed because of their faith in God. Today, in order to repay their debt, people bring bouquets of flowers to the service in the temple - poppy flowers for their consecration.
From that day on, it was allowed to eat vegetables, collect honey and sow winter crops. On this day, organized trips to the rivers and wells, which were illuminated. After that, they bathed and bathed cattle in the reservoirs, so that they (depending on the type of animal) would give good milk, tasty meat, and eggs.
What date is celebrated apple and honey spas
Honey Savior is one of the three holidays that begin first in August, there are also apple and nut holidays. Today, honey day is celebrated on August 14, earlier, according to the old time reckoning, it was celebrated on the first of August. Apple Spas is celebrated on August 19, this is the second spas, this day is considered the departure of summer and the meeting of autumn.
Currant golden honey spas
This variety of golden currant is used for the composition of poppy seeds. Currant bush of medium ripening, which is universally used. The berries are round yellow-orange in color, have a sweet taste and a delicate refreshing aroma.
Usually the bush blooms from mid to late July, it can be found in the Belgorod and Volgograd regions. Blooms with bright flowers. Interestingly, there are other plants with the same thematic name of the variety, for example, gladiolus gladiolus honey spas.
Other names
Depending on folk customs and cultures, different countries have different names, for example, in Russia it is also called:
- First Savior;
- Wet saved;
- Makovey;
- Poppy Spas;
- honey day;
- Honey holiday;
- Seeing off summer;
- Kalinnik.
Perhaps these are not all the names of the Russian Slavs, most likely, in some regions there are their own dialectic ones. In Belarus, the holiday is called: Makavey, Makava, Persha saved, Saved the honeydew. In Ukraine, these are Spas Makovei, Makovei, First Spas, Medovius Saved, Makotrus. In Bulgaria, the holiday is called Protoyagus, Yegus, Yagus, Ustina, Makavei, Churutsi, Morinki, Ztovden.
Beginning of Spasovok (Assumption Lent)
On the first day, the holy Dormition fast begins. Savior is the name among the people of 3 holidays of the Orthodox Slavs, which impoverish in themselves: the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Transfer of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands.
Saved from the short - the savior - Jesus Christ. Saved in translation - save yourself. On this Orthodox day, you can be saved by eating holy honey, apples, bread and drinking water. In Serbia, the Slavs these days dug new ones and cleaned existing wells, as it was believed that the holiday illuminates the well, and the water in it is also holy.
Customs of the Eastern Slavs
The northerners went to the temple, where they consecrated water and honey, which they had recently collected. It is a sacred custom to bake honey from various muffins: buns, pies, cakes, gingerbread and others, thereby blessing the food.
Already in the first days of the holiday, it was possible to sow winter crops, it was believed that the future harvest should be good and consecrated by God. In Siberia, Makavey is called Kalinnik (the first in a row) and the day of the Solomonides-grandmother. The latter is a holiday that is revered by future mothers, mothers and healers. On this day, girls who wanted to get pregnant went to the temple, prayed and washed themselves with holy water.
McAway
The first day of the Savior is August 14, also the day of remembrance of the Old Testament martyrs Macaveus, who were sacrificed for the sake of the Savior back in 166 BC. Ukrainian, Belarusian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Macedonian and partially Russian Slavs venerated the martyrs.
In the course of time, the people renamed the holiday to Poppy, since poppies bloom at this time. Therefore, on this day, it was a sacred custom to bake pastries from poppy seeds: gingerbread, pies, rolls, rolls. Often poppy was combined with sacred honey. They sat down at the slaven table and began dinner with pancakes with poppy seeds and poppy milk, which was also made from poppy seeds and honey. An important feature was the preparation of poppy milk in a special vessel, which acquired the name makalnik in Russia, Ukrainians call it makitra, and Belarusians call it makater.
The Slavs followed on the holiday many signs that are associated with poppies, they came up with poems. Young people took to the streets in McAway, singing songs and dancing in honor of the poppy plant. The girls sprinkled their chosen ones with poppy seeds, after which they flirted with them, pinching and tickling them.
Rescue on the water
The holiday acquired this name due to the fact that on the first day the consecration of water, rivers, lakes and wells was carried out in the temples. On this day, it was allowed to dig new wells and clean the existing ones. The southern Slavs carried out crusades on rivers and lakes in order to wash themselves and their cattle. It was believed that water could wash away spoilage and the evil eye, illness, infertility and other ailments.
Another name for water rescue is wet rescue, it was believed that the very next day after it it was impossible to swim. The water was considered dirty, bloomed, due to the approach of autumn, the temperature of the reservoirs dropped sharply. The peasant was allowed to carry out field work, collect the old crop and plant a new one. Peasants prepared the land and tools on the field that day.
Honey Spas
The name "Honey", Spas received from the fact that on this day the beehives in the apiaries were filled with a new harvest of honey. On honey spas, it was allowed to pump out the harvest and sanctify it in the temple. It was believed among the people that if you do not pump out honey, then bees from neighboring apiaries will take it away. Honey consecrated in the temple could already be eaten. According to customs, it was believed that if you harvest earlier, then the next harvest will fail.
The beekeepers performed whole rituals on this day. In the morning, after evaluating the harvest and finding the “richest” hive, they broke out the combs from it, took some of them and went to the temple for illumination. After that, with the help of holy honey, the remaining honey was illuminated and a holy dinner was prepared. After mass, the peasant had to give part of the consecrated honey to the poor, who expressed their congratulations on the honey savior.
After that, the beekeeper went on to harvest from the hives. At this time, children gathered in the apiary, who helped the beekeeper in every possible way, and in return, he distributed part of the crop to them. In response and in gratitude, the children blessed the beekeeper with the help of folk thematic songs, with wishes of health to him and his family.
Many dishes and drinks were prepared from honey on this day. On the day of the honey-savior, he was especially revered and respected. Even in ancient times, people knew about the benefits of honey, its healing properties. It was used for treatment, beauty recipes, youth preservation, for gaining strength and energy.
The customs of the southern Slavs
It is interesting how different the traditions of the northern and southern Slavs are. For example, Serbians sanctify water with the help of a young basil. On the first day you can not swim and work. The Slavs believed that work on this day could lead to an incurable disease.
In Macedonia, throughout Maccabeus, the Slavs closely monitor changes in the weather, as they predicted the forecast for the next year. The holiday lasts 12 days, which means that the 1st day of the Savior predicts the weather in January, the 2nd - in February, and so on. Women on this day and the next, it was forbidden to wash and bathe children. Sometimes other jobs were also banned.
In Bulgaria, the day is also called Zetovden. In celebration, it was an obligatory tradition to go to sons-in-law to visit their fathers-in-law, you must definitely congratulate - bring gifts, and also kiss your hand when you meet.
Sayings and signs
There are many sayings among the people about honey salvation. Here are some of them:
- commemorating the poppy, do not be angry and so;
- the first Spas - the first sowing;
- collect poppies on the poppy Spas;
- if you dig a well for the first Spas, then no one can harm him;
- after the honey salvage they do not enter the river;
- from the first Savior and the dew is good.
There are also signs in the first saved:
- Rain on the feast of the first Savior - there will be few fires.
- Sowing of winter crops should be started only from the day of the first Savior. If you sow early, the harvest will fail.
- On a holiday, you need to eat the first spoonful of sacred honey and at the same time make a wish.
- On the honey holiday, they bathe for the last time, because after the water begins to bloom and becomes cold.
- To improve your health and gain good luck, you need to eat a spoonful of holy honey and drink 3 sips of water from the well on the first Savior.
Exhibition of honey in Moscow
Every year Muscovites can visit honey expositions in Kolomenskoye. There is an exhibition tasting of various varieties of honey, treats and sweets from it. The exhibition of honey is often accompanied by cheerful songs, dances, folk festivals. It is much more interesting and easier to choose and buy honey at thematic fairs, often there are beekeepers from all regions of the country who know their product well and guarantee the quality. The exhibition of honey in Moscow is held at the Kolomna Fair Square in the Museum-Reserve.
Honey is a special product that is revered all over the world. It is famous for its healing properties and unique taste. It contains more than 300 biologically active components that are beneficial to human health. Honey Savior is a holy holiday of the Orthodox Slavs, on which the honey product was sacred in churches, many dishes were prepared from it. And the collection of the product itself turned into a whole ceremony with songs and dances.
The honey spas was the first spa, during which it was necessary to start collecting honey and sowing winter crops for a good future harvest. The people of the southern and northern Slavs had their own customs that needed to be carried out, but they were united by the fact that on this holiday it was necessary to try consecrated honey without fail, which protected them from diseases in the future.
The last summer month is incredibly rich not only in the generous gifts of nature, but also in Orthodox holidays. On August 14, according to the new style, Lakomka begins every year - a two-week Assumption Fast, which, according to the Orthodox people, is second only to the Great Fast in its severity. However, the Dormition Fast is also considered the easiest, because at this time nature generously endows people with juicy fruits, various vegetables and mushrooms. The beginning of Spasovka coincides in time with the First of the three Spasovs - Medov.
Honey Savior was celebrated by our ancestors on a special scale, which is why this day is distinguished by a rich history and traditions, thanks to which it received many names. But first things first.
History and traditions of Honey Spas
According to the beliefs of our ancestors, the Honey Spas was marked with the end of summer, the beginning of cold weather and the rainy season. It was believed that on August 1, according to the old style (August 14, according to the new one, respectively), birds begin to gather in flocks to fly to warmer climes, nature is gradually preparing for wintering, and bees stop carrying pollen. It was on this day that beekeepers carried out the last solemn collection of honey. That is why the First Spas is called Honey, Medolom or Lakomka. Putting on a clean shirt and signing himself with the sign of the cross, the beekeeper examined his possessions at dawn, chose a hive overflowing with honey, and proceeded to make combs. The first combs were placed in a clean wooden dish, never used before, and taken to the church for consecration. All passers-by were treated to consecrated honey: acquaintances and strangers. It was considered a special sin to deprive the poor and teenagers. Girls and boys sang traditional songs, and beekeepers generously presented them with fragrant amber treats. They ate honey just like that and cooked all kinds of things with it. By the way, eating new harvest honey was allowed only after Medolom.
Another name for the First Savior is Makovy or Makovey. The history of the origin of this name is quite interesting and goes back to the very birth of the Christian faith. Initially, this day was the day of remembrance of the brother martyrs Maccabees. However, over time, these two holidays merged into one, and the surname of the brothers was transformed into "Makovey", since at this time there is also an active collection of edible poppies. Therefore, traditions on the Honey Spas also include the consecration of poppies and bouquets of poppy flowers, which are made up of herbs and poppy heads. According to the beliefs of our ancestors, these bouquets had healing powers and saved the family from misfortune and hunger. The bouquet was not thrown away, but dried and kept for a whole year as an ornament and a talisman. And in order to protect your family from misfortunes, poverty and the unkind looks of people, it was necessary to sprinkle consecrated grains around the dwelling.
Also, Honey Savior is often called Wet Savior or Savior on the Water. This is connected with the tradition of small blessings of water. All the Orthodox people on this day made processions to the reservoirs. Priests consecrated water in rivers, lakes and springs. People cleaned old wells and consecrated new ones. Even rain and dew on this day were endowed with magical properties. It was believed that by bathing in holy water, you can get rid of many ailments and even wash away sins. Therefore, people bathed themselves and brought pets into the water.
Honey Spas 2014
People still celebrate Honey Savior on a grand scale: the history of the holiday and traditions are so rich and interesting that people still try to follow them relentlessly. Modern youth and people of a more respectable age go to church to consecrate honey, water and poppy seeds, housewives bake ruddy lenten pastries with poppy seeds and honey. Folk festivals are also held everywhere on Honey Spas: the holiday scenario may include traditional songs, dances and fun contests. Usually, competitions are held for poppy bouquets or baking with poppy seeds or honey, exhibitions of the best varieties of honey are organized, followed by its consecration and tasting, as well as fun fairs and evening fires.
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