Honey Savior according to the new calendar: when will we celebrate Macovia this year

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From September 1, 2023, Ukrainians celebrate Makoviya or Medovy Spas in a new way. Due to the transition of the OCU and UGCC to the New Julian calendar, the dates of many church holidays have changed.

Every year at the end of summer, believers in Ukraine celebrate a special period called “Salvation”. It begins with the feast of Macovia, which is also called Honey Savior.

Earlier in Ukraine, Honey Savior was celebrated on August 14. However, on September 1, 2023, the OCU and UGCC switched to the New Julian calendar, so most church holidays now fall on other dates.

According to the new calendar, Ukrainian believers will celebrate Macovia on August 1.

What this is Maccabiah: the story of the holiday

In the church calendar, the holiday is called the Descent of the Fair Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. According to legend, once a part of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified helped to save the inhabitants of Constantinople from a terrible epidemic.

Then the priests immersed the shrine in a reservoir, after which all traces of the disease disappeared. This is where, historians say, the popular name “Spas” came from – because the holiday is associated with the Savior of mankind, the Son of God.

Macovia: traditions of the holiday

Traditionally, believers bring baskets of honey, poppies and herbs to the church for consecration. This custom comes from ancient times, when the first harvest was offered to the Lord in gratitude for him. The poppy is dedicated to Maccabee because this day is also dedicated to the seven Maccabee martyrs who were tortured for their faith.

It is from Maccabee that the two-week fast, which is called Assumption, begins. It ends before the great holiday of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15 according to the new calendar).

After consecration, it is customary to store a bouquet of poppies and herbs behind the icons. In addition to poppy heads, dahlias, marigolds, asters, cloves, cornflowers, mint, thyme, etc. are often added to the bouquet. Consecrated dried flowers were considered healing, they were given to cattle when they were sick.

In order for the year to be full, before going to church, it was necessary to sit down to a generous breakfast. Poppy pies were baked on Honey Spas in many regions of Ukraine. And there was also a belief that on this day God forgives women all their sins if they sincerely pray.

What can not be done on Makovia

First of all, the prohibitions concern what can be done put in the basket for consecration. Yes, it is forbidden to consecrate alcoholic beverages, meat products, money or other material values ​​on this day.

There was a strict ban on loud parties, noisy conversations and fun. You cannot do housework, cleaning. And you should not quarrel or find out the relationship. It is better not to wish the Honey Savior evil, even to your enemies. Otherwise, all troubles will return to you a hundredfold.