In August, three holidays of the Savior, Spas in Russian, come to Orthodox believers. They go one after another: Honey, Apple, Nut Savior. The origin and significance are distinguished, but they are all connected with Jesus Christ — the Savior.

The Honey Spas comes on August 14 and coincides with the beginning of the Uspensky lent. Its name was given to the holiday in connection with the traditional beginning of the first honey crops. Believers do this usually with prayer and reverence. Then honey is taken to the church for consecration.

At home the honey is laid out in beautiful cups, put in the center of the table. This product is considered curative, so everybody — from small to large try it. It was also believed that the one who will eat the first spoonful of honey, can make a wish and soon it will come true. Put the honey in cups painted with Hohloma or Gzhel and your table is magically transformed, even in simple ceramic bowls the taste and view of honey will be favorably different.

It is also accepted to feed honey to relatives, neighbors, beggars. There is even a saying: "On the First Spas and a beggar will try." You can bake honey gingerbread, pies, buns, and the traditional drink of this holiday is a sbiten, consisting of water, honey and spicy herbs.

Honey Spas are also called the Wet Spas or the Savior on the Water. In the church calendar August 14 is listed as the Origin of the Honest Life-giving Cross of the Lord. According to the ancient chronicles in Constantinople /now Istanbul/, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, epidemics often took place in August, which claimed thousands of lives. To stop the calamity, it was decided to take out of the church of St. Sophia a piece of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, to conduct processions along the streets of the city with this shrine, and to sanctify the water. After this epidemic ceased.

Also, according to legend, it was on this day that St Duke Vladimir received baptism.

Until now, a small water consecration is made this day, believers consecrate water at the rivers and lakes, bathe. All water is considered holy, giving strength, driving away fatigue and illness. If the pond has been previously consecrated, you will wash off your sins and become healthier. After this day, it was not accepted to swim.

They are named this holiday as Maccobey day — in honor of the seven martyrs of the Maccabees — Avim, Antoninus, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusebio, Alim and Marcellus, executed by the Syrian king Antiochus on that day in 166 BC. e. for the service to the single God, and not to pagan idols.

Homes housewives made this holiday pancakes with honey and pies with poppy seeds, they are also called "shuliki." On a holiday usually are sold "makoveichiki" — small bouquets-amulets from grasses. Previously, each girl had to make such a bouquet with her own hands.

In conclusion of the article, I would like to note once again that folk holydays always carry positive energy to people. Relatives and close people around a beautifully decorated table, delicious and healthy dishes and drinks, pleasant conversations, good wishes and beautiful songs — what could be better!