August in the Christian church is very rich in celebration. This month, three Savior are celebrated in honor of the Savior. So what church holiday do believers celebrate on August 18? On this day, everyone is preparing for Apple Savior, waiting for the Transfiguration of the Lord, which is celebrated on the next day, August 19. What is the meaning of this holiday? This question interests many.
Celebration on August 18th. Orthodox feast of the Transfiguration on August 19
Already in the evening, all Christians are preparing for the morning service, dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord, which is celebrated on August 19. This event was described by the Evangelist Luke. The whole story took place during the earthly life of Jesus, when, together with his disciples, he walked around Palestine and preached the Good News. Once on Mount Tabor, in the presence of his three disciples - James, Peter, and John - Jesus indulged in prayer. Suddenly his face shone, his clothes sparkled with whiteness, a light cloud appeared around the teacher. Two people talked with him - Ilya and Moses. They came down from heaven to tell Jesus about his outcome, the trials that he would endure on the cross, about the resurrection, about his mission in this world. At this time, the savior's disciples were dozing, but the light emanating from the speakers awakened them. They saw God's grace, a miracle. They were struck by the desire to extend this moment. Without remembering what they were talking about, they proposed building three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, but then a cloud covered them, and they heard the voice of the Most High. He broadcast from heaven that they should listen to their teacher Jesus, the son of God. When the voice fell silent, the cloud dispersed, the disciples saw that Jesus alone remained on the mountain. At that time, the students kept silent about this wonderful story and did not reveal to anyone the secrets of the Transfiguration.
At the celebration of the Transfiguration of the Lord, all believers recall this amazing story, because it was then that Christ first showed his divine essence to his three disciples. On that day, John, Peter, James saw the Tabor light, which radiated not only the face of Jesus, but all his clothes. On all the icons of the scene of the Transfiguration, this divine light is imprinted.
Apple Spas
Having found out what church holiday is expected by believers on August 18, it is necessary to mention that on the day of the Transfiguration, the second Savior, called Apple.
Apple Spas is the second name of the Transfiguration holiday. Many folk signs, rites, and beliefs are associated with it. For example, it was believed that parents who have lost children should never eat apples before this day, in this case paradise apples are distributed to their children in the next world. On the day of the Transfiguration, parents consecrated apples in the church take them to the graves of their dead children. If the graves of their dead babies are somewhere far away, then they lay apples to other, even strange children.
In general, all believers prepare baskets with apples from the evening of August 18. Orthodox holiday Transfiguration believers celebrate the next day, consecrate fruit, chatter, treat all relatives and friends. In the old days from this day they began to harvest apples for the future, dry, cook jam, bake in the oven with honey. They distributed apples to the poor, asking, needy, baked cakes, various sweets. Broad festivities and generous fair fairs were timed to this day.
Eusignius of Antioch
In addition to the Transfiguration, what church holiday on August 18 is still in the church calendar? On this day they remember the great martyr Euseignius of Antioch, the people call him Zhitnik. This saint lived a long measured life. Faithfully, he served the Roman Empire for 60 years. He was the interlocutor of the Holy Basilisk. Once he had a vision - an image of the sign of the cross in the starry sky. After the service, already at a venerable age, Eusignius returned to his native Antioch, lived in prayer, visited the temple. With the coming to power of the pagan Julian the Apostate for the faith of Christ, the old man was arrested. He was severely tortured in prison. He was not afraid to speak at the trial against the Antichrists, for which he paid with his life. Executed Eusignius at the venerable age of 110 years.
Zhitnik
What church holiday is August 18th? It is called the Zhitnik in honor of Eusignius of Antioch. It was on this day that Mother Earth was appeased, sanctified to expel evil power from stubble. In olden times, girls gathered on the Zhitnik “uterine uterus”: they looked for mowed stems on the stubbled stub. And whoever found one with the most spikelets was considered the most successful. The "uterine uterus" was kept at home in front of the images. A stalk with twelve spikelets brought happiness to the owner's house. People believed that the uterus could help in any business, but only three times, then its strength was lost. So they asked her only about the most secret. On the Zhitnik bread was baked from the first grinding of barley.
Job Uschelsky
Having examined in detail what kind of religious holiday August 18 is expected by Christians, it is undoubtedly necessary to say that on this day believers remember the martyr Job of Ushchelsky. In the XVII century, he founded a monastery in the Arkhangelsk province on the Mezen River. The monks lived in poverty here, and when Tsar Michael granted them lands, fish allotments, the Monk Job arranged his cells here, founded the church.
Life in the monastery began to improve, accepted all those in need. Once, when the whole brethren went for haymaking and Job was left alone, robbers attacked the monastery. They brutally tortured the Monk Job, demanded to give out monastic treasures. After terrible tortures, they cut off the head of the martyr. The icons of Job were glorified by miracles. He is depicted there in his hands with a scroll that says that you should not be afraid of those who kill the body, they cannot destroy the soul.