Orekhovy Spas (Third Spas) in 2018 falls on August 29th. This is the last and final holiday in August after Apple Spas and Honey Spas. Nut Spas or, as it is also called, Bread Spas, Small, Canvas, marks the harvest of the last harvest.

Nut Spas 2018: traditions

Our ancestors tried to complete field work as quickly as possible before the onset of rains. Therefore, there were no special celebrations on the Third Spas. The only thing they necessarily did was to consecrate fresh ears of wheat, water, fruits and nuts in the temple. They tried to stock up on them for the year ahead; they were used to make amulets for health and good luck for the whole family. Walnut branches were also often included in these amulets. They protected the house and its inhabitants from ill-wishers.

It is interesting that on this day unmarried girls used to tell fortunes about love by picking a nut. A ripe and sweet nut means great love, an unripe one means important news, a rotten one means trouble, and a bitter one means problems in relationships.

Before the Third Savior, the strict two-week Assumption Fast ends (August 14-27). The ban on eating fish and meat is lifted, so the Bread Savior 2018 is accompanied by a hearty feast. The main decoration of the holiday is fresh and fragrant bread baked with your own hands.

Guests are also served pies with mushrooms, dishes with nuts, porridge, baked apples, charlotte, cookies and muffins. You can start your meal after evening prayer. As for preparations for the winter, housewives hold tinctures of their nut membranes in high esteem. They help cure colds and joint pain. This medicine is also useful for men. They say that it can double male strength.

On Orekhovy Spas, as well as on Honey Spas, they do not forget to bless the water in the wells. This water is believed to have healing powers.

Nut Spas-2018: signs

Like any other folk holiday, Nut Spas is rich in various signs. The most famous of them:

1. The more nuts you collect, the larger the grain harvest will be next year.
2. If a nut falls on your head in the forest, good luck will accompany you.
3. Finding two fused nuts means great luck. Such a nut must be picked up with your left hand and hidden in your wallet.
4. If the storks fly south to Khlebny Spas, then severe frost is expected on Intercession (October 14), but spring, on the contrary, will be sunny.
5. If the birds are in no hurry to fly away, expect a warm autumn, late winter and cool spring.
6. At the festive table you need to taste all the hostess’s dishes, otherwise expect financial problems.

Nut Spas-2018: what not to do

1. Don’t give up work, because Nut Spas (Bread Spas) is the time of harvesting and preparing food for the winter.
2. In Orekhovy Spas, do not go into the forest without a talisman. Our ancestors believed that this is how you can meet with evil spirits.
3. You cannot deny food to the needy and strangers.

The third Savior is called the holiday, which is popularly called the Nut Savior. It received its “fruit” name due to the time of celebration - August 29. By this period, the nuts finally ripen. Although various names are attributed to the holiday - Khlebny Spas, Maly, Kholshchevy. The church holiday is associated with the memory of the Miraculous Image. Previously, on this day it was customary to sow rye before winter. By this time the main harvest was in full swing. Also at this time, fairs began where canvases and canvases were sold. Before the holiday, it is customary to fast for two weeks, which is associated with another church holiday - the Dormition. What not to do on Orekhoviy Spas - read on.

Somehow everything turns out well towards the end of summer with the holidays. All that remains is to receive a blessing for nuts and think about the folk signs and traditions of the Nut Savior.

Signs and superstitions on Orekhovy Spas

On this holiday it was not customary to refuse work, since the end of summer and autumn is not for idleness. Therefore, people still have jokes and sayings associated with the Nut or Bread Savior - “The Third Savior stored bread.” On the Bread (Canvas or Nut) Savior, it was customary in all churches to bless bread, nuts, and simply ears of grain. Housewives baked a lot of bread to feed the poor and wanderers. All relatives were treated to pies with nuts. Our ancestors were observant people. This is where so many folk signs come from. For example, finding two fused hazel trees in the forest was considered a big deal for the whole year. A broken walnut bush on the path promised bad luck; one had to leave this path. A broom was made from walnut twigs. And on the day of the holiday, it was customary to sweep the floors in the house in order to expel all illnesses and troubles.

Signs for the Nut Spas for a girl

Girls of marriageable age read fortunes using walnut twigs to find out about their imminent marriage. If a girl came across the first ripe nut, she had to eat it herself in order to determine the bitterness or sweetness of the upcoming marriage based on its taste. If you come across a large, ripe, tasty nut, this means a big and strong one. The bitter taste indicated future betrayals of the betrothed. If you come across a nut that is ripe on the outside but not ripe on the inside, this is important news. A rotten nut, of course, did not bode well.

With the advent of the Nut Savior, the time of autumn came, and with it all kinds of signs of this time of year. If there was rain and thunderstorms on Spas, this foreshadowed a warm autumn. There were many weddings. And if on Orekhovy Spas the swallows left their homes and the cranes flew away, then this indicated the arrival of early winter cold. We had to hurry up with the wedding. By the way, they knew how to prepare for the cold. For example, our great-great-grandmothers knew many recipes for cold tinctures made with nuts. After all, nuts give strength and energy.

On August 29, the folk Christian holiday of the Nut Savior is celebrated, which is also called the Third Savior or the Bread Savior, because it is celebrated after the Honey and Apple Savior. This holiday ends the summer period: people say goodbye to the warmth and welcome autumn.

It began to be called the Nut Savior after the advent of Christianity. It is celebrated every year on August 29, immediately after the end of the Dormition Lent. Due to the fact that the weather is no longer so hot, Nut Spas is also called Cold or Autumn. This national holiday corresponds to the church holiday - the transfer of the Image of Christ Not Made by Hands to Constantinople.

The meaning of the holiday

On this day, our ancestors collected nuts and completed the harvest as a whole. Of course, some garden crops are still waiting in the wings, but most of the fruits are already ripe by this time. This is a very important day, but not as bright as previous Spas. In Rus', on August 29, people always preferred to work quietly in the field, plant winter crops and enjoy the passing summer warmth.

This Savior is called not made by hands because, in addition to the traditional folk meaning, the holiday also has a church meaning. On this day, services in churches are dedicated to a very important event - the transfer of the Miraculous Image of Christ. This is a towel on which the imprint of the Lord's face remains.

Why is Nut Spas called the Third, Bread, Canvas, Cold, Autumn

Spas or Spasovki are folk celebrations that end the summer. They are associated with church holidays dedicated to Christ, hence their common name: “Savior” - from the word “Savior”.

In total, in August it is customary to celebrate three Spas - Honey, Apple and Nut. Thus, Nut Spas is the last to be abandoned in this trio - it is celebrated on August 29. That is why it is called the Third. But there are other names for this wonderful folk holiday.

Nut Spas

Nuts are the dish that was used to celebrate this day. On Honey Spas they ate honey, on Yablochny they treated themselves to dishes made from apples. Also on Orekhovy (or Oreshny) Spas they tried to treat household members and guests with treats taken on this particular date. And if the first two Saviors were holidays, then the Third was considered semi-holiday. So nuts on this day are still welcome today.

Khlebny Spas

At the end of August, it was customary to bake bread for the first time from the new harvest - collected only this year: the Third Savior stored up bread, so people said. On this day you should definitely eat fresh bread. And thank Heaven with prayer for the bread on the table.

Canvas Spas

This is another name for Nut Spas. His name was also Spas on canvas, Spas on canvas, Linen Spas - because from that time on it was customary to organize auctions at which homespun canvases were exhibited.

Cold (Autumn) Spas

Finally, the Cold, Autumn Savior was associated with the calendar cycle of the people. Summer was ending, which meant it was time for autumn. At this time, they observed the migration of birds: when it began, it heralded autumn.

Holiday traditions

According to church traditions, on this day it is customary to read prayers for health and visit the temple of God. People pray for the happiness of their loved ones, for the health of their children, for their own health. This is a great time for communion, for baptism.

You can't be lazy on this day. On August 29, it is customary to work in the fields and gardens, to help loved ones and those in need. In the middle zone, by this time it is time to dig up potatoes. On this day, since ancient times, it was customary to set the table and have a festive meal with various treats. In 2018, this tradition will be appropriate, because in almost all corners of the country the harvest is quite plentiful and rich. Many housewives bake cakes and pies with nuts.

On this day they used to buy and sell fabrics. In the modern world, people go shopping on Orekhovy Spas, buying new clothes, bed linen, curtains. On August 29, you can go to the store to buy clothes for your child for the new school year, or you can give a nice gift to someone close to you.

Don't forget about one of the most pleasant traditions - going to the bathhouse. Our ancestors believed that it was inappropriate to greet autumn with dirty clothes. It is believed that water procedures in Orekhoviy Spas can give a person protection from the evil eye and curses.

Many people go to the forest on August 29, but it is not advisable to do it alone. According to ancient beliefs, evil spirits may await lonely travelers there.

This holiday is a kind of final summer chord. On this day, signs of wealth, luck and prosperity are relevant. Be kind to people and accept kindness in return. Good luck and don't forget

On the eve of the Third Savior, old people went to the water to monitor its flow. If the water in the reservoirs is calm, then the autumn will be warm, and the winter will pass without snowstorms.

By this day, they cleaned the healing springs for the fall, drank underground water, walked around the wells in circles, as if closing the warm season, and illuminated new wells. For this reason, the Third Savior was also called the Savior on the Water. According to legend, swallows fly in a line on this day and throw themselves into wells.

From the Third Spas they began to harvest hazelnuts. In most villages and hamlets there were no major holidays on this day, because the peasants were busy completing summer field work before the onset of rains. In the cities, Velikoden festivities began on August 29.

By this time the harvest was over. They began to sow winter crops. Hence the holiday received another name - Bread Savior. Three days before the Dormition (August 28), they began sowing winter grain, and continued for another three days after. The housewives saw off their husbands to the field with bread and salt. Three sheaves were placed on the cart, rye in bags intended for sowing was placed on them, and then winter crops were sown.

The seeder was greeted on the field by guys with a pie with buckwheat porridge, mushrooms or fish. After sowing, the pie was eaten by the whole family. In the old days, sometimes they were sifted for the Apple Savior (August 19), and for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary all the grain was on the threshing floor. People said: “The Third Savior saved bread.”

On this day, bread was baked from the grain of the new harvest. It was also customary to trade in linens and canvases. Therefore, the holiday was also nicknamed “Savior on Canvas”, “Savior on Canvas”, “Savior on Canvas”.

On the Third Spas, birds fly away to warmer climes, especially cranes and swallows. It was believed that if the crane flies to the Third Spas, then there will be frost on Pokrov (October 14).

– A good harvest of nuts means there will be a lot of bread next year.

– Whoever finds a 2 or 3 nut at Orekhovy Spas will soon become rich.

– This day is favorable for travel - all your plans will come true.

– If the weather is good on the Third Spas, then the winter will be short and the spring will be early.

– If rivers, swamps and lakes are not disturbed by the wind and the boats stand calmly on the water, the autumn will be quiet, and the winter will pass without snowstorms and drifts.

– If a circle forms next to the moon, it will rain the next day.

– Pale stars – to clear and dry weather.

– If the stars appear above a layer of clouds, expect strong winds.

– Throwing away or stepping on bread crumbs on this day is considered a great sin.

– The day is favorable for travel.

People born on August 29th are given the ability to know the secrets of trees. A diamond is suitable for them as a talisman.

Nut Spas is celebrated on August 29, the day after the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Nut Savior is a common popular name for a church holiday dedicated to the “Savior,” that is, the Savior. We talk about the history and traditions of the holiday and what not to do on Orekhovy Spas 2018.

What is Nut Spas?

Nut Savior is the popular name for a church holiday dedicated to the transference of the Image of Christ Not Made by Hands.

What is another name for Nut Spas 2018 and why?

Bread Savior - because bread from the new harvest was traditionally baked for the holiday.

The third Spas - because this is the last of the August Spas: by this time the Honey Spas (August 14) and the Apple Spas (August 19) had already passed.

“Savior on canvas” - in honor of the holiday that the church celebrates on this day. The Savior Not Made by Hands is one of the most widespread icons in the Russian Orthodox Church. According to legend, this image of Jesus Christ was not painted: it was imprinted on a towel when Christ wiped his face with it.

What not to do at Orekhoviy Spas?

The Orthodox Church advises not to get carried away by various beliefs and signs.

There is a widespread belief that on Orthodox holidays there are many prohibitions: you cannot work in the garden, clean, or sew. This is not true. It is recommended to dedicate the holiday to God and loved ones, but working on this day is not a sin.

The church advises to refrain from conspiracies, occult and magical rituals.

Khlebny Spas: traditions and signs

August 29 is an Orthodox holiday dedicated to the Savior (Jesus Christ). On this day it is customary to go to church for a festive service.

On the Third Savior, bread from the new harvest was traditionally baked, blessed in the temple and served to the table. For the holiday, nuts were ripening in the forest, so it was customary to cook dishes with nuts.

People believed that from Orekhovoy Spas autumn comes into its own. According to popular belief, a thunderstorm in August foreshadows a fine autumn, and if the cranes have already flown away on August 29, then winter will be early.

On August 29 we celebrate the Nut Savior, also called the Bread Savior. Before Orekhovy Spas, they celebrate the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28) and the end of the Dormition Fast, which lasts two weeks - from August 14 to 27.

Nut Spas: the history of the holiday

According to legend, at this time Abgar ruled in the Syrian city of Edessa, who was stricken with leprosy throughout his body. The rumor about the great miracles that the Lord Jesus Christ performed reached Syria and Abgar. Not seeing the Savior, but believing in Him, Abgar sends him a letter asking for healing and sends his painter Ananias to deliver the letter and draw the Image of the Lord.

Arriving in Jerusalem, Ananias could not approach the Savior because of the huge number of people who surrounded the Lord and listened to his sermons. Then he stood on a stone and decided, looking from afar, to draw the Image of Jesus Christ, but nothing worked for him, the Divine light emanating from the Lord blinded the artist.

The Savior Himself called Ananias, calling him by name, conveyed a short letter for Abgar and promised to send His disciple for instruction in salvation. The Lord also asked for water and ubrus (canvas). Having washed himself, he applied the covering to his face - and His Divine Face was reflected there.

Ananias brought the ruler an Image and a letter from the Savior. Having reverently accepted the Great Shrine, Abgar received healing, and only a small part of the disease remained on his face until the arrival of the Apostle.

The apostle who arrived in Edessa was Saint Thaddeus, who baptized Abgar and all the inhabitants of Edessa. The miraculous image of the Savior was installed in a niche above the gate to the city. And everyone who passed into the city worshiped Him.

This went on for many years, until one of Abgar’s great-grandsons fell into idolatry, and he had a desire to remove this Image from the city gates. But the bishop of Edessa had a vision of the Lord to hide this image. Arriving at night with the parishioners, the bishop lit a lamp and laid the image with a clay board and bricks.

Many years passed, and the residents forgot about the shrine. However, in 545 the Persian king besieged Edessa, and the situation was hopeless. And the Bishop of Edessa saw the appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos, who commanded him to take the Image of the Savior from the niche to save the city. Having dismantled the bricks, the bishop saw the Miraculous Image of the Savior, in front of which a lamp was burning, and on the clay tablet that covered the Face was a reflection of the image of the Savior. A religious procession was held with the Image Not Made by Hands, and the Persian army retreated.

Even when the Arabs later took possession of Edessa, they did not interfere with the worship of this Image. In 944, Emperor Constantine bought this Image from the emir and transferred it with great honors to Constantinople, to the Pharos Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On August 29, the Holy Church remembers the miraculous event that happened in 944 - the transfer from Edessa to Constantinople of the Image Not Made by Hands of Our Lord Jesus Christ. According to folk traditions, this day was called Nut Spas, since nuts were ripe by this time. This is the time of ripening of grain crops, vegetables, fruits and all the fruits of the earth.

Nut or Bread Spas: traditions

According to tradition, on this day it is imperative to consecrate fresh nuts, water and fruits in the temple, and in the old days ears of wheat collected the day before were also consecrated. Only after church prayer and gratitude to the Almighty for our daily bread, it was possible to prepare a festive table from consecrated products.

At the same time, according to tradition, nuts are added to almost all dishes, which have long been endowed with healing powers. Not only the fruits are valued, but also the nut branches. They were stocked up for future use for the whole year, and they were often used as amulets. Many still believe that a walnut cross hung at the front door will protect against envious people and bad thoughts. And after taking a steam bath with a walnut bath broom, a person will be healed of diseases and gain protection from the evil eye. They were harvested and stored separately, not mixed with brooms made from other tree species.

Housewives make a tincture from nut membranes doused in alcohol. This medicine helps with colds. And an ointment based on young nuts can cure joint pain. If honey is mixed with nuts and given to a man for a month, his male strength will double.

Fairs are usually held in cities on this day. Moreover, you cannot leave such a fair empty-handed - otherwise you will be penniless for the whole year. But if you buy fabric and sew clothes from it for a child, this will bring him good health and good luck to the family.

Another tradition at Orekhovy Spas is reseeding. After home prayer, housewives accompanied their husbands and sons to the fields with bread and salt. Three sheaves were placed on the cart, and rye in bags was placed on top, which was intended for sowing.

On Orekhovy Spas, just like on Honey, they sanctify the water in the wells and cleanse the springs gushing from the bowels of the earth. Water is considered healing and can cleanse the soul of accumulated sins.

The most common dishes for nut spas: baked apples with nuts, charlotte, various cakes with nuts and other sweets, as well as freshly baked bread. In the evening, candles are lit and after evening prayer the family can begin the festive meal.

In addition to bread, pies with mushrooms and dishes with nuts are also prepared on this day, which are always treated to relatives and friends.

Nut Spas: what not to do on this day

There are a number of prohibitions on Nut Spas:

You cannot refuse work and be lazy, because during the Third Savior people were harvesting and preparing for winter.

It is imperative to help those in need and we must not refuse children, the poor and the sick.

During the Third Savior, you cannot go into the forest without some kind of amulet, because there you can meet evil forces.

Nut saved: signs and beliefs

The most respected woman in the area began collecting nuts. Then other villagers joined her. They tried to collect as many nuts as possible, because, according to legend, the more nuts collected, the greater the grain harvest for the next year.

If a nut falls on your head in the forest, then this is a good sign, indicating good luck in business. If the first nut that comes across is sweet, then the year will be good, if it is bitter, then there will be difficult trials, and if it is not very ripe, then important news awaits the person. And finding two fused nuts for a holiday is considered unprecedented luck. They must be picked up with your left hand and placed in your wallet to attract money.

On Orekhovy Spas, people have always closely monitored the behavior of birds, especially storks and cranes. If the storks fly south to the Third Spas, then severe frost is expected on Intercession (October 14), but spring, on the contrary, is expected to be sunny. Birds are in no hurry to fly away - autumn will delight you with warmth, winter will start late, and spring will be cool.

At the same time, according to legend, you need to feed the birds flying to warmer regions with bread crumbs. And if along the way the birds meet the souls of deceased relatives, they will convey messages to them.

At a festive dinner, you need to pay tribute to the hostess and try every dish on the table. Then you will be lucky for the whole year and there will be no financial problems.

On the holiday, it is customary to wish everyone health, as strong as a nut shell, prosperity and God's blessing in all endeavors.

Also in ancient times, girls used to tell fortunes about the future and love. On this day they picked nuts and determined what the next year would be like. A ripe and sweet nut means great love, an unripe one means important news, a rotten one means trouble, and a bitter one means problems in relationships.