A month after Peter's Lent, on August 14, the Assumption Fast comes. It includes three church and national holidays, the first of which opens the Dormition Fast and is called the Savior of Honey. It has a long history associated with the defense of Russia, Epiphany and honey collection.
History and significance of the holiday Honey Savior
In Russia, a holiday in honor of the Savior (Savior Jesus Christ) and the Mother of God was established in 1164 by Andrei Bogolyubov. It is believed that the Cross of the Lord helped him in the victory over the Volga Bulgars, which he put up in front of his army. Hence the custom arose on the First Savior to wear the Cross of the Lord along the main streets of the city in order to protect him and the people from diseases and various disasters.
That is why the First Savior used to be called the holiday of the origin of the honest trees of the Cross of the Lord.
Another name for the First Savior is Wet, since on this day the ministers of the church visited reservoirs, rivers and lakes to consecrate them. This custom is tied to the Baptism of Rus, which took place on August 1 according to the old style or on August 14 according to the new style in 988.
After some time, the modern name of the holiday appeared - Honey Savior, due to the custom of breaking full honeycombs at this particular time. Beekeepers on the Day of the Savior of Honey should bring the first honeycomb and the first honey of this year to the church for consecration. This did not happen by chance, because beekeeping in Russia has been practiced for a long time, and honey has always been considered a healing and lean product.
After the consecration of the honey, the clerk always collected a share for the priests, some of which the church distributed to the poor. It was believed that everyone on this day should definitely taste the consecrated young honey. On this holiday, families were sure to prepare various honey dishes and drinks, they ate honey with nuts and bread.
On Honey Savior, it was also customary to eat poppy dishes, because August 14 was still considered Makaveev's day - the day of memory of the 7 martyrs Makaveev described in the Old Testament.
Not only the Assumption Fast began with the Honey Savior, but also the preparation for winter. The peasants trimmed sheepskins to the cold, cleaned the threshing floor and plowed the fields for winter crops. Women, meanwhile, went with their children to the forest to harvest mushrooms and berries.
How to Celebrate Honey Savior
Like several centuries ago, today this holiday begins with a solemn liturgy in Orthodox churches. During it, the Cross of the Lord is brought out in the middle of the church for worship, then a procession of the cross, the consecration of water and honey brought by parishioners is performed.
On this holiday, as well as during the two-week Dormition Lent, it is customary to eat honey, poppy seeds and dishes made from these products. Orthodox families bake honey cakes, make lean pancakes or poppy rolls, brew mead and sbiten - an old Slavic drink made from water, honey and spices.
