Posljednji mjesec ljeta u Ukrajini bogat je proslavama. Medeni, Jabučni i Orahov Spas su blagdani koji organski spajaju kršćanske i drevnije, poganske tradicije. Kolovoške proslave označavaju početak blagdana žetve, jer upravo u kolovozu pčelari vade med, a plodovi dozrijevaju u vrtovima.

Medeni Spas

Medeni Spas slavi se 1. kolovoza. Poklapa se s Danom sjećanja na sedam mučenika Makabejaca. Na taj dan u crkvi se posvećuje med, cvijeće i bilje. Zato se u crkvenim košarama mogu vidjeti buketi mirisnog livadnog bilja. Posvećuju se i makove čahure. Peku se kolači koji se natapaju slatkom smjesom maka i meda.

Jabučni Spas

Jabučni Spas slavi se 6. kolovoza i poklapa se s danom Preobraženja Gospodnjeg. Tada se posvećuju darovi vrtova: jabuke, kruške, šljive i drugo voće. Kaže se da se u davna vremena prije ovog blagdana nisu smjele jesti jabuke.

Orahov Spas

Orahov Spas završava ciklus 16. kolovoza. Na taj dan obilježava se Prijenos nerukotvorenog lika Isusa Krista. U crkvi se posvećuju orasi, kruh, bilje i cvjetni buketi. Smatra se da u ovom razdoblju obavezno treba kušati jabuke s medom i orasima, kao da se slavi žetva.

Etnografi pišu da je u prošlosti ovo razdoblje bilo treće po važnosti nakon Božića i Uskrsa. I smatralo se blagdanima za mlade, jer su posvećivanju proizvoda, sudjelovanju u liturgijama i kasnijim proslavama najčešće prisustvovali mladi ljudi i adolescenti. 

U današnje vrijeme ti su blagdani postali više tradicionalno-dekorativni. Ali drevne tradicije odavanja počasti darovima zemlje još uvijek su žive. Vrući kolovoz je prekrasno vrijeme da se uživa u svim blagodatima koje daje ukrajinska zemlja.

August Spas in Ukraine

The last month of summer in Ukraine is rich with celebrations. The Honey, Apple, and Nut Spas are holidays that organically combine Christian and more ancient, pagan traditions. The August celebrations are the beginning of the harvest festival, as it is in August that beekeepers extract honey and fruits ripen in the garden.

Honey Spas

Honey Spas is celebrated on August 1. It falls on the Day of Remembrance of the Seven Maccabean Martyrs. On this day, it is customary to consecrate honey, flowers, and herbs in church. Therefore, you can see bouquets of fragrant meadow herbs in church baskets. Poppy seed pods are also consecrated. Cakes are baked and soaked in a sweet mixture of poppy seeds and honey.

Apple Spas

Apple Spas is celebrated on August 6 and coincides with the Transfiguration of the Lord. At this time, the gifts of the garden are consecrated: apples, pears, plums, and other fruits. It is said that in ancient times, it was forbidden to eat apples before this holiday.

Nut Spas

Nut Spas completes the cycle on August 16. This day marks the Transfer of the Image of Jesus Christ Not Made by Hands. In church, nuts, bread, herbs, and bouquets of flowers are consecrated. It is believed that during this period, one must try apples with honey and nuts, as if celebrating the harvest.

Ethnographers write that in the past, this period was the third most important after Christmas and Easter. And it was considered a holiday for the youth, as it was young people and teenagers who most often consecrated the products, participated in the liturgies, and joined the subsequent celebrations. 

In our time, these holidays have become more traditional and decorative. But the ancient traditions of honoring the gifts of the earth are still alive. Hot August is a wonderful time to enjoy all the blessings that the Ukrainian land gives.