The history of the holiday of the Apple Savior (Transfiguration of the Lord). How and when to celebrate the three Spas: Honey, Apple, Nut

The Apple Savior is the central of the three Saviors of the Orthodox calendar. This is the name popularly used for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which is celebrated on August 19. Apple Spas has rich history and various traditions, which we will talk about in this article.

Name of the holiday

The Orthodox holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord invariably coincides with the time of harvest. From year to year, the date of this celebration remains the same and falls on August 19. It is at this time that the harvest of apples begins, which are brought by believers to the church and blessed. The arrival of this holiday symbolizes farewell to summer and the welcoming of autumn, the main task of which is to harvest a good harvest.

The Orthodox calendar in August contains three Spas:

1. August 14 is celebrated Honey Spas;
2. August 19 – Apple;
3. On August 29th the time of the Nut Savior comes.

According to the position of the Apple Savior in this triad, it is called middle, central and Great.

Apple Spas falls on the Assumption Fast, which ends on August 28. On this day, the church advises preparing dishes with apples and other fruits blessed in the church.

By folk beliefs Until the Great Savior, you can’t eat apples or pick them from the tree. This is currently confirmed by research, which has shown that apples gain maximum juice by this time and useful substances and can be stored for a long time. The first fruits were taken for sampling on this very day and were necessarily blessed in the church.

History of the celebration

The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is associated with one of the parables about Christ. Christ, with his disciples Peter, James and John, 40 days before his crucifixion, goes to Mount Tabor, where his further destiny is revealed to him as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind. During this, Jesus was illuminated by the brightest light of the Lord and the disciples saw how Christ was transformed. But he forbade them to tell anyone about this, and ordered them to collect fruits in the garden under the mountain and consecrate them.

The history of the celebration of the Great Savior in Rus' dates back to the 4th century and was initially not associated with Orthodox themes. On this day, people believed in a change in nature and the turning of the calendar to autumn. It was believed that nature was transforming and a new time period was beginning - autumn.

(Kasatkin Nikolay Alekseevich "Good Grandfather")

On this day, it has long been customary to treat everyone with fruits from their lands. For this purpose, baskets with collected fruits were displayed at the gates of the house and everyone could treat themselves to them. Those who did not display treats were considered greedy people and tried to avoid their houses.

The apple, one of the main fruits in Rus', was endowed special significance. The people believed that an apple eaten on this holiday would certainly give a lot of strength and fulfill one’s most cherished desire. It was customary not only to eat apples, but also to prepare jams, compotes and pies from them.

An important tradition in Russian villages on this day was the clearing of fields for the next harvest. On this holiday, houses were decorated with collected ears of corn, which symbolized a rich harvest and a long, well-fed life.

Traditions and customs of Apple Spas

(Consecration of apples in the church on Apple Savior)

One of the main traditions is the ban on eating fruit and sampling a new harvest before this day. This is due to Christian dogma about strengthening faith and fighting temptations.

On this day, it is customary to wear white clothes and bring the collected fruits to the church for blessing, and then use them to prepare dishes for the festive table.

(Kustodiev "Apple Orchard")

The Great Savior is rich in folk signs:

• If there is no rain on the Great Spas, then the autumn will be dry and the winter will be harsh. If it’s a rainy day, then autumn will be generous with precipitation.
• Those who have not tried new fruits before the Transfiguration should make a wish with the first bite and it will come true.
• Another popular name for this holiday is Autumn. The weather begins to change: it becomes colder at night, birds are about to fly to warmer climes.
• If a fly lands on your body on this day, you should not drive it away. She brings success in business and happiness in her personal life.

Many traditions of the Apple Savior remain unchanged today, just as all the ancient signs about the weather and changes in nature on this day remain true to this day.

Christians of the Eastern Rite celebrate the Second, or Apple Savior, on August 19. For consecration on this day, believers bring apples, pears and other fruits to church in a basket. This is one of the 12 largest church holidays.

When is Apple Savior celebrated:

Apple Spas traditions:

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, or more popularly known as the Second Savior or Apple Savior Eastern Slavs, has been known since ancient Russian times and the dead are usually commemorated on this day. Traditional dish On this day, baked apples are served, and pies and strudels with apple filling are also prepared.

The whole family was treated to blessed apples brought from the church.

Also, in some places, a tradition has been preserved among women whose children have died not to eat apples until the Apple Savior.

What is sacred on Apple Savior:

Grape;

Peaches;

Ears of rye or wheat.

What not to do at Apple Spas:

On this day you cannot do anything around the house except cooking. Leave cleaning, sewing, washing, etc. for another day. It is also believed that insects should not be killed on this day.

Signs for Apple Spas:

Apple Spas means the onset of autumn and the transformation of nature. It is believed that the nights become colder after the Savior. In central Ukraine, from this day on the nights can be noticeably cold, which is why they say: “The Savior has come, prepare mittens in reserve!”

It is also believed that if the weather is dry and warm on this day, then it will be autumn, and vice versa, if it rains, it will be rich in precipitation.

Apple Spas in 2019 is celebrated on August 19. This is a folk Christian holiday, the second of the three Spas. His official church name- Transfiguration of the Lord. People also call this day the Second Savior.

history of the holiday

Apple Spas replaced pagan holiday apple harvest. The first celebrations took place in the 4th century.

In the Orthodox Church, the Apple Savior is dedicated to the transfiguration of Jesus Christ before the apostles Peter, John and James on Mount Tabor. When the Savior began to read the prayer, his face was illuminated by light, and his clothes became white. Descending from Tabor, he ordered his disciples to collect apples so that the Lord would consecrate them.

Traditions and rituals of the holiday

Apple Spas has established church and folk traditions celebrations.

On this day, services are held in churches. Parishioners try to wear clothes to the service white. They bless baskets of fruits and berries in the church: apples, pears, plums, grapes.

In Apple Spas it is customary to show generosity and mercy. People make donations and provide fruit to the poor.

On this day, housewives begin to make preparations for the winter from apples: they make jams and compotes, and dry them. They bake pies and pancakes with fruit filling from lean dough.

Before the holiday, they try to harvest grain crops. On August 19, the grape and pea harvest begins.

On Yablochny Spas, people remember the memory of deceased relatives. It is customary to bring fruits blessed in the temple to the cemetery and leave them on the graves.

In Rus', autumn was celebrated on this day. People went out into the field and said goodbye to the sun. They believed that with its sunset, summer was leaving.

Before the holiday, parents whose children died did not eat apples. They believed that in the next world they would be given gifts for this - apples of paradise.

What not to do in Yablochny Spas

On this holiday, it is forbidden to engage in heavy physical labor, cleaning, sewing and knitting. From homework Only gardening and kitchen chores can be performed.

On this day you should not kill insects - this can scare away good luck. If a fly or wasp lands on any part of the body, you should not drive it away. It's worth waiting until she flies away on her own.

Signs and beliefs on Apple Spas

• Costs clear weather- autumn will be dry, rainy - wet.
• The last piece of apple eaten that day has magical power. If you make a wish immediately after consuming it, it will come true.
• If you treat a beggar with an apple on a holiday, then next year will pass in abundance.
• If a fly lands on your hand twice, then the person will have good luck all year.
• Picking unripe apples on this day is a bad omen.

Congratulations

So the Apple Savior came to us,
You can taste the ripe apples now.
Please accept my congratulations on this holiday,
I wish you divine favor.
So that apple trees give birth in your garden,
And may everyone in your family be healthy.

What date is Apple Spas in 2020, 2021, 2022

In the folk calendar, the celebration of the Transfiguration of the Lord falls in the month when the harvest is being harvested, and nature is ready to say goodbye to summer and open its gates to autumn. The date on which the people celebrate does not change from year to year - it is August 19th. On this day, believers bless honey, apples and dishes made from the fruits of the new harvest in the church.

What is Apple Spas

IN Orthodox calendar there are three Spas: Honey (August 14), Apple (August 19) and Nut (August 29), so another name is Second or Middle, which signifies the onset of autumn, the transition from summer to autumn and winter. The name according to church canons is the Transfiguration of the Lord. From this day on, it is allowed to eat and prepare dishes with apples and other fruits, which must first be dedicated to the church. During this period, the Assumption Fast takes place, which lasts until August 28.

Apple Spas - history of the holiday and traditions

The custom of celebrating this holiday dates back to the 4th century, so the history of the Apple Savior is much younger than many other Orthodox celebrations, but no less interesting and mysterious. At that time, Christ, together with his three disciples: Peter, John and James, climbed Mount Tabor to pray, where he learned about his upcoming sacrifice for man - the crucifixion, and was illuminated by an unusual bright light from God. The Son of God forbade the disciples to talk about their destiny and ordered people to collect the fruits in order to sanctify them. This happened 40 days before the Lord was crucified on the cross.

Apple Spas - holiday traditions

It is believed that on the Great Spas there is a transformation of nature, so the date is celebrated in a special way. The traditions of the Apple Savior have a long history; they have changed a little, but their meaning has remained unchanged. Previously, during a mass public festival, the owners of orchards had to display carts with their harvest and distribute them to passers-by; those who did not want to do this were considered greedy, dishonest people.

The people believed that the last apple eaten had the ability to fulfill their deepest desire. Before such an event, according to tradition, you cannot eat any fruits except berries and cucumbers. Before the start of the day, their use is prohibited, especially for parents who have lost their children, because their deceased child will not be able to receive the golden fruit from the Mother of God, who distributes gifts on the Feast of the Savior. It was still necessary to clear the soil before the next harvest. To do this, before the magnificent celebration, they tried to collect ears of grain.

The essence of Apple Savior

The peasants, for whom the harvest festival was one of the largest and most significant, believed that apples had unusual powers and brought health, strength, happiness, and beauty. Meanwhile, the fruit is consumed not only in its raw form, but also in jam, compote, baked apples, and pies. Celebration of this significant date begins with a morning service, during which a cross is brought to the center of the temple, then worship is performed, procession, blessing of the harvest. White is considered the main color, so parishioners wear light-colored clothes.

Why you can’t eat apples before the Savior

The prohibition on eating the new crop is associated with the need for its sanctification, with the development of a person’s spiritual powers, the fight against temptations, and the strengthening of faith. According to the Church Charter (Typicon), it is forbidden to eat grapes before the Transfiguration. Not eating apples until Apple Day is a kind of replacement for grapes, since the latter gave a poor harvest in climatic zone Slavs The Typikon prescribes a punishment for those who tried the fruit before the Savior - a ban on eating them for the entire month of August, however, such a measure applies primarily to monks, not laity.

Signs on Spas

On Oseniny, another name for Transfiguration, the weather changes, so the signs on Yablochny Spas mainly relate to future changes in weather conditions. The nights become colder, the cranes begin to fly to warmer climes. As this day was, so will be Intercession (October 14) and January. If there was no rain, there will be a dry autumn, if there was precipitation, then rainy, but if it was clear, expect a harsh winter. Those believers who remain faithful to the prohibition of eating the fruit will be rewarded with the fulfillment of their desire at the first bite.

When Apple Spas

By Julian calendar the date of the Apple Savior fell on August 6, but after the transition to Gregorian it moved in the Slavic folk calendar to August 19. According to Holy Scripture, this day represents the Kingdom of God on earth. According to popular beliefs, the third emergence of the dead into the world occurs during the spring-summer period. During the day, if a fly lands on a person’s body, it is not driven away, since it promises success and happiness. In the evening after working day and the festivities saw off the sun in the field with songs.

Video: Feast of the Transfiguration

In August there are three holidays in honor of the Savior, which are called Spas. The first Savior is celebrated on August 14, popularly called “on the water,” the second on August 19, “on the mountain,” and the third on August 29. The second Savior, celebrated on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, is popularly called the Apple Savior.

Why is the Second Spas called Apple

There is also a belief that during the Transfiguration apples become magical. By taking a bite, you can make a wish that will certainly come true.

Other holiday names

Transfiguration of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

history of the holiday

Apple saved: all about the holiday

Why is the Second Spas called Apple
Other holiday names
Transfiguration of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
history of the holiday
Rituals and signs for Apple Savior
Apples

In August there are three holidays in honor of the Savior, which are called Spas. The first Savior is celebrated on August 14, popularly called “on the water”, the second on August 19, “on the mountain”, and the third on August 29, “on the canvas”.

Apple saved

The Second Savior, celebrated on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, is popularly called the Apple Savior.
Why is the Second Spas called Apple

Apple Savior is the popular name for the holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Many folk rituals are dedicated to it. First of all, Apple Savior means the onset of autumn, the transformation of nature. Previously, before this holiday, it was not allowed to eat fruits, no fruits at all, except cucumbers. On August 19, they were illuminated in the church, after which all fruits were allowed to be eaten. After the consecration, some of the fruits brought must be given away to the parable, and the rest must be taken to the house, where they break the fast with them.

It is believed that if parents do not eat apples before the Second Savior, then in the next world their children are given gifts, including heavenly apples. And those children whose parents have tried apples are not given them. Therefore, many parents, especially those who have buried children, consider it a sin to eat apples before this holiday. Mothers who have lost their children bring several apples to the temple on the morning of Apple Savior, consecrate them, and then take them to the graves of their deceased children. If the grave is far away, the illuminated apple can be placed on any child’s grave or left in the temple. Previously, blessed apples were often carried to cemeteries to be given to all deceased relatives.

There is also a belief that during the Transfiguration apples become magical. By taking a bite, you can make a wish that will certainly come true.

From this day on, it is a busy time in the orchards; apples are prepared for future use according to many recipes: they are dried, canned, and soaked. During the holiday, you also need to prepare many dishes with apples, bake them in the oven or oven with honey, and make pies. Spasov apples were given to the poor and the sick.

On the same day, mass consumption of peas begins, sometimes even a special “Pea Day” was held. The harvest of spring crops and the sowing of winter crops (rye) began with the Feast of Apples and the Feast of the Transfiguration. The healers tried to prepare medicinal herbs before this day, the Hutsuls did not take fire outside, and in Transcarpathia they did not borrow fire on this day.

Mass festivities and fairs coincided with the holiday.

By folk signs, after the Apple Savior the nights become colder. This holiday is also a welcome to autumn. “The Second Savior has arrived - take mittens in reserve.”
Other holiday names

The Second, Apple Savior, has other popular names - for example, the Feast of First Fruits, Middle Savior, Savior on the Mountain, Pea Day, First Autumn, Autumn, Second Meeting of Autumn, Transfiguration. On this day, the Russian Orthodox Church honors the Transfiguration of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Transfiguration of the Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

The Gospels describe a mysterious transformation, the manifestation of the Divine greatness and glory of the Lord. It happened on the mountain in front of the three closest disciples of Jesus Christ during prayer. All the evangelists report this event, with the exception of John.

The Orthodox celebration takes place on August 19, and if according to the Julian calendar, then on August 6. The Catholic Church also celebrates August 6, or moves it to the Sunday following that day. The Armenian Apostolic Church considers this holiday to move from June 28 to August 1.

The traditional site of the Transfiguration of the Lord is a mountain in Galilee called Tabor. However, there is a version that the place of the Transfiguration was a spur of Mount Hermon, located in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi.

The Gospels describe that Jesus went up the mountain with Peter, James and John to pray, and during prayer he was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white like light. And two prophets appeared from Old Testament, Elijah and Moses, and talked with the Savior about the Exodus. He forbade his disciples to speak about what they had seen until the Son of Man rose from the dead.
history of the holiday

The holiday has been celebrated in Palestine since the 4th century, from the time when the Temple of the Transfiguration was built by Empress Helena on Mount Tabor. In the East, mentions of the holiday date back to the 5th century.

The Gospel texts say that this event happened in February, 40 days before Easter, but the Orthodox Church moved the celebration to August 6 (19) - so that it would not fall on the days of Lent. And on the 40th day after the Transfiguration, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross always takes place.

In France and Spain, the holiday has been celebrated since the 7th century, but in catholic church it was established by Pope Calixtus III in 1456.

IN Orthodox Church the holiday belongs to the twelve great holidays, the liturgy is performed, parimia are read, the canon is sung. The color of liturgical clothing is white. The holiday falls on the Dormition Fast, which was previously almost equal to the Great Fast.

In Rus', Apple Spas was one of the most celebrated holidays. In the evening, the peasants watched the sun set, and when it touched the horizon, chants began.

In the southern regions, it was not apples that were blessed and tasted, but the first grapes. Or all the fruits there are.
Rituals and signs for Apple Savior

Apple Spas is also called the “first osenins” - welcoming autumn. In the evening, seeing off the sunset, we also saw off the summer. “The apple tree has come and summer has left us.”

It is also believed that it reminds how necessary spiritual transformation. On this day, first they treated their relatives, loved ones, orphans, and the poor with apples, they remembered their ancestors who had fallen asleep in eternal sleep - and only then they ate it themselves.

Many signs and customs are associated with this holiday. In the old days, people considered them important for the health and well-being of the entire family. For example, fruits collected from the garden were treated to the poor - in order to reap an excellent harvest the following year.

There is also a sign that if it is hot on the day of the Second Savior, then there will be little snow in January, and if it rains, then the winter will be snowy.

There is another interesting sign: if a fly lands on your hand twice on this holiday, then success awaits the person. On this holiday, you need to be patient even with flies and not drive them away, so as not to frighten away your luck.

According to archaeologists, even cavemen ate apples. IN Ancient Rome 23 varieties of apples were known, and thanks to Roman soldiers, apples reached Europe. Nowadays apple trees are the most popular fruit trees in the world.

Apples can be used in a huge number dishes, they even produce vodka and cider, not to mention jams, desserts, salads, compotes, pies, cakes, and sauces. Ducks are baked with apples and meat is stewed.

According to physiological standards, a person should consume about 50 kilograms of apples per year, of which 40% in the form of juice. Apples contain almost all the substances that the body needs: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, vitamins C, E, PP, B1, B2, B6, folic acid, carotene. They are easily digestible and their combinations are optimal for people.

It’s not for nothing that the British say: “An apple a day and you won’t need a doctor.” Or better yet, two or three apples. These amazing fruits will help maintain excellent health for the body.

Happy holiday to everyone, all the best!!!