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Apple Feast of the Saviour celebrated in Russia

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Apple Feast of the Saviour celebrated in Russia


19.08.2021

Photo credit: castleguard / pixabay.com

Orthodox believers celebrate on Thursday, August 19, the Apple Feast of the Saviour, or the Apple Spas, RIA Novosti reports.

The holiday is based on an evangelical event: the appearance of Christ on Mount Tabor of his divine nature.

Honey, wheat and fruits are consecrated in temples. Priests wear white vestments for worship.

Although it is not customary to do hard work on this day, there are no strict prohibitions on this matter. Very often, worshippers visit cemeteries to the Apple Spas to commemorate dead relatives.

Since ancient times, people brought the first fruits to the temple in order to consecrate them. It was a sacrifice to God and the hope that in a year the believers will be able to reap a rich harvest. In Byzantium, grapes were consecrated, but in Russia, due to climatic features, they were replaced by apples, which ripened mainly by this date. This is how the holiday got its name among the people - the Apple Spas. 

Russkiy Mir

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