The Honey Savior combines the day of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos, the origin of the honest trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord and the historically significant event for Russia - Baptism.
The Orthodox Church celebrates the Honey Savior on August 14 in a new style. On the same day, the two-week Dormition Fast begins, ending on August 27. The holiday is accompanied by solemn divine services with the consecration of honey.
The celebration in honor of the Savior and the Mother of God reminds of the events of 1164: the holy prince Andrei Bogolyubsky put up a cross and the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God in front of his army and defeated the enemy - the Volga Bulgars.
The origin of the honest trees of the Cross of the Lord is a holiday that came to Russia from Constantinople. The surviving part of the Cross on the eve of this day was transferred from the imperial palace to the temple of Sophia, the Wisdom of God. The shrine was carried around the city for two weeks, simultaneously blessing the water in the reservoirs.
According to modern Orthodox canons, during the divine service on August 14, a cross is placed in the middle of the church for worship. After the liturgy, it is customary to make a procession to the water. According to legend, a person who has bathed in consecrated water can be cured of ailments. Honey, consecrated in the church, is also considered to have healing properties. Another popular name for the Honey Savior is "Wet", or "Savior on the Water".
The Dormition Fast is preceded by the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on August 28 - the transition from earthly life to eternal life. This event ends a strict two-week fast. On the days of fasting, one should refrain from eating meat, milk, fish and eggs. Only on August 19, on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, also called the Apple Savior, is it allowed to eat fish.
On Honey Savior and the days of the Assumption Lent, it is customary to cook dishes from honey and poppy: honey gingerbread, lean pancakes, poppy pies, millet porridge with honey. "Mead" and sbiten are especially popular. Despite the severity of the fast, there is a saying among the people: "Petrovka is a hunger strike, Spasovka is a gourmand." Products made from honey, consecrated on the Day of the Savior of Honey, will help improve health, relieve ailments and restore strength.
