Honey Spas

Honey Spas - this is the popular name of the holiday, in the church calendar it is called The origin (removal) of the fair beasts of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord. Also on this day the Russian Orthodox Churchreveres the Festival of the All-Merciful Savior and the Blessed Virgin Mary and some other holidays. Still the Poppy Spas commemorates the beginning of the Assumption Lent, which will last until August 27, according to a new style (the eve of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Daughters, as this holiday is called among the people).

Honey, this Spas is called because on this day the honeycombs are usually filled with honey to the point of failure, therefore in Russia it was accepted to begin the collection and consecration of honey. Honey consecrated by the church is traditionally allowedwas only from the Honey Savior, and in ancient times honey was a very important food product: it was based on a variety of dishes, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.

The people Honey Spas is also known by other names: Spasovka, First Spas, Wet Spas, Savior on Water, Bees' Feast, Honeymoon, Gourmand, Summer Wire, and also Makavei (Poppy Spas). All these names are not accidental.

So, the name Wet Spas is a tribute to the tradition of the small water consecration. On this day in Russia it was customary to clean oldWells and consecrate new ones. They also made a procession for the consecration of water in natural reservoirs and springs. Then in such a pond it was necessary to bathe yourself and atone for livestock: it was believed that in this way one can wash away sins and become healthier. Bathing on that day was the last bath until the next summer.

Name Makavei (Poppy saved) originally was not associated with the poppy. The fact is that on August 14, according to a new style (August 1, according to the old style), another Christian holiday is celebrated - the Seven Holy Martyrs of the Maccabees. The Maccabees suffered for their faith from the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes.

But, as often happens, Christian customs in the popular consciousness intertwined with folk rites. Therefore, the day of the monuments of the Old Testament martyrsmerged with the popular holiday of summer wires, called "Macavay": by this time the poppy is ripening. The Maccabees' connection with the poppy is, most likely, purely phonetic.

This day is accepted serve different baked pastries with poppy seeds and honey to the table - Pies, cakes, buns, rolls. Since the Honey Spas is the first day of the Assumption Lent, all pastries should be lean. Begin a meal with lenten pancakes, which are dipped in a poppy milk - a mass of poppy, ground with honey. Despite the fast, the use of honey for food on this day is blessed because of the consecration of the honey of the new harvest.

Honey Spas was the beginning of summer wires: by this time roses blossomed, the water began"Bloom," birds fell silent, bees ceased to collect honey, rooks began to gather in packs and prepare for flight, the first swallows and swifts flew to warmer lands. For the peasants, this holiday marked the beginning of intensive field work: harvesting, haymaking, preparation of plowlands for winter crops.

Even if you do not observe church customs,nothing prevents you celebrate the Honeymoon Savior 2012: after all, it's a multinational holiday. Bake honey cakes, buns and buns with poppy seeds on this day, make pancakes with poppy and honey. Arrange your own holiday of the beginning of summer wires: there are only two weeks to fall, so you need to spend them so that you do not regret later that the summer months were wasted.