middle of the last month of summer for Orthodox believers is remarkable that in this period begins Dormition Fast.On the first day it began the tradition, many Christians celebrate Honey Spas, dedicated to the memory of the martyrs of the Maccabees 7.What is so special happened that day?
history holiday
According to ancient manuscripts, on this day in 988 Vladimir the Great was baptized.The Honey Spas ministers churches remember the victims of the martyrs for the faith of the Maccabees, and their teacher Eleazar and the mother of Solomon.In 166 BC,They brought them to the king of Syria, Antiochus, charging that they were preaching Christianity.Cruel ruler decided to force them to eat forbidden food in the Old Testament, and when turned down, was furious, and gave the brothers, along with their mother and teacher brutally tortured.They cut off his toes and hands, cut out tongues, burned alive on hot pans, stripped to the skin of the head.Thus they were tortured six older brothers.The youngest Antioch with affection urged to renounce his faith.He promised him a reward and finally asked his mother to give the last brother advice.But Solomonija turned to his son, urging him to remain true to the faith and not fear the torturer.Then the king gave them the death, exposing at the same time even more suffering.
Honey Spas:
has long traditions in the day it was decided to sprinkle the corners of the house poppy seeds of the wild in order that no evil has not managed to penetrate into the housing.The very name of the festival - Honey Spas - due to the fact that since that time the bees collect nectar stop and start collecting honey.And the cells that should be cut first, specifically left to suffer for the consecration of the temple.It is believed that only then could eat the honey collected.When it Honey Spas, beekeepers wore festive clothes and chose the largest hive, which was the most honey.The collected cells were formed only in new dishes made of wood.Besides honey, the temple also took a bunch of summer flowers, which weave a few poppy heads.Part hallowed plants left in the house or near the entrance to protect the home from evil spirits.A poppy heads scattered around the barn with the cattle to witches night did not steal the milk and sends diseases.The greater part of the bouquet was placed for the icon.It is believed that there it radiates holy energy and will help in case of illness.Few people know that the Honey Spas, the date of which falls on August 14 has another name - Christ on the water.This is due to the fact that this day was taken to consecrate the wells and ponds, as well as to arrange near the bid, rivers and lakes festivities.
Honey Spas: signs
Long since that day to symbolize the beginning of the Slavic farewell to summer.After him, the weather becomes cooler, the days are shorter and the nights longer.Then they proceeded to the Orthodox holiday of winter crops.It was believed that if you make it earlier - is crop failure.Orthodox believe that if the day to swim, they will be forgiven the sins of nezamolennye.
