And here is the error. First, the phrase “Honey spas” certainly not “Orthodox name” holiday, which the Church celebrates on August 14. Secondly, honey is not the most important thing in this really holiday. Finally, on 14 August, the Church celebrates four important events: the beginning of the two-week Dormition fast, the feast of the Origin (iznesenie) Honest trees Holy cross, festival of the all-merciful Savior and the most Holy mother of God, remember this day and the Holy martyrs Maccabees from the old Testament.
Difficult? Nothing of the sort. If you look at the order, the picture quickly becomes clear.
so, the Dormition fast (August 14 – August 27) – two-week. Though short, but strict, as strict as lent. He installed to prepare for the feast of the assumption of the blessed virgin (August 28). The word “assumption” means “a peaceful death, similar to falling asleep”. Most of the believers during the Dormition fast is not guided by strict monastic charters, but simply refuses meat, dairy foods, eggs and fish, taking the blessing of the priest. Breaks in the post are made for the sick, pregnant women, nursing mothers, travelers, people with serious physical exertion. But since August 14, though, and the beginning of lent, but the day of several holidays, the food that day is also a holiday. Our ancestors on this day, indulged in a lean pancakes with honey and poppy seeds. But more on that later.
So, the Dormition fast is framed by three holidays dedicated to Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. 14 August – feast of the merciful Saviour (the national – “Honey spas”), the day of the Transfiguration (“Apple spas”) – August 19 and the transfer from Edessa to Constantinople miraculous Image of the Lord Jesus Christ (the”third spas, walnut spas”) on August 29. Although the priests are constantly reminded that the word “saved” stands for “Savior,” and there is an obvious absurdity in the fact, when they say “honey has rescued” or “saved Apple”, the name first just existed in people’s speech, and now confirmed in the media that reproduce them as main. To fight with the Internet and the media is useless, better try to eliminate illiteracy, explaining the observed holidays.
let’s Start with the Feast of the Origin (iznesenie) Honest trees Holy cross: it sounds obscure, but actually it’s simple. The Russian name of the holiday, the word “origin” wormed by mistake: this is a wrong translation of the Greek word meaning “solemn procession”. Just to clarify, what we are talking about the movement of Honest trees Holy cross, in brackets is given to clarify: iznesenie. Modern man has become even more confusing. Although there is nothing tricky here. Prazdnik – a tribute to tradition. Even in Constantinople of the ninth century noticed the Cross on which Christ was crucified, not once saved from epidemics. So in August, the hottest time of the year, the Cross was carried from the chapel of the Byzantine emperors and was carrying (“wearing out” – they say in Church) to the Church of Hagia Sophia, where They consecrated the water. Then the Shrine was carried around town for “disgust diseases.” In memory of this was installed and the holiday itself, and the custom in this day to sanctify the water. So today, in the temples in the center endure the Cross – the Shrine of Christianity, and after the divine Liturgy, served a small rite of consecration of water. Along with the blessing of the waters, sanctify and honey, hence the folk names of the holidays – “First honey spas”, “Wet spas”.
Another historical event to remember August 14 – the victory of St. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky over the Volga Bulgars in 1164. Or the celebration of the all-merciful Savior and the most Holy mother of God. The Volga Bulgars pressed Rostov and Suzdal, Prince Andrei, not coincidentally nicknamed Bogolyubsky, went to the March on the invaders. A Andrew took the image of the virgin and the Cross which was carried before the army. Preparing for battle, a sunrise, the Prince addressed to the mother of God with the prayer: “Everyone upovat on Thee, Lady, not die, and I’m ashamed to have You as a wall and cover”. After the Prince fell before the icon on her knees and generals, and all the warriors. Venerating the image, have rushed into battle and turned the Bulgars to flight. In memory of the victories through the prayers of the Savior and the blessed virgin Mary, and this feast was established the all-merciful Savior and the most Holy mother of God.
finally, the old Testament saints, martyrs of the Maccabees and why people in this day eat pancakes with honey and poppy seeds. About the honey we have already said. The pancakes since ancient times, the symbol of fullness, of conviviality, of joy, even and lean. And the Mac? According to experts, the folk tradition, he was in a celebratory meal of harmony with the Maccabean martyrs, whose memory is celebrated on August 14 at the Church. The saints of the old Testament, that is, living before Christ, the Maccabean martyrs so strongly and sincerely believed in the True God that were martyred at the hands of the Gentiles. Accept death, but not polluted by the worship of Zeus, did not bring sacrifices to him. This fidelity to the True God, the faith of the ancestors was worth the seven Holy martyrs Maccabees: Avim, the, Antonina, Guria, Eleazar Evsevev, the Adima and Marcellus, as well as their mother Solomonia and Eleazar the teacher of life. They suffered in 166 BC, In the years of the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes planted in Jerusalem and in all Judea pagan customs, he desecrated the temple in Jerusalem a statue of Zeus. Jews forcibly compelled to worship the idol, but the family of the Maccabees rebelled. The martyrdom of seven ��ratiev of the Maccabees encouraged mattatia priest and his sons, who rebelled against Antiochus, which lasted from 166 to 160 BC, and winning, cleansed the temple of Jerusalem from the filth.
the Russian people have always perceived this Bible story with great compassion and sympathy. That judge ninety of the elder scribes of the Maccabees Eleazar, but he is now firmly on the flour and remains faithful to God. Here first, in front of his mother and brothers, dies the eldest of the boys of the Maccabees – Avim, then martyrdom take a rest. But don’t renounce the True God. Here Solomonia offer: save the life of the last son, renounce their God. But she remains faithful to the Creator. Here prostrate bodies of the martyred sons is Solomon, with his hands up, pleading to the one Who means everything on earth. The people were close to such firmness and fidelity. The celebration included not only the Church calendar but also in people’s life.
the Domestic life of the Russian people before were permeated by Christianity. Christian holidays fit seamlessly into everyday life. Celebrated on 14 August, the feast of the all-merciful Saviour and the MostHoly mother of God, and by this time, was ripe honey of the new harvest. In the popular mind – the unconditional gift of God to man. So it was brought to the temple for consecration. And honey was no longer just food, not just a treat, and the embodiment of God’s grace to us, grace. Covered in honey spas, except water and honey, herbs and poppy seeds. There was once a saying: “in the first saved and the pauper medco’ll try it.” Holiday joy from the presence in our world of God’s Grace here and share people with others – honey, vegetable pancakes with honey, with poppy seeds. So the holidays are a spiritual thread that connected the past with the present, as our ancestors studied the history, making her a part of his life.
