Today is the first Savior – Honey: how to celebrate Makoviy
1 August 2025 02:39
Today, on August 1, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrate the First Savior – the Honey Savior, popularly known as Makovia. This special holiday not only marks the beginning of the Dormition Lent, but also carries deep symbols, age-old customs, and a number of rituals and prohibitions. What you need to know about the traditions of this day, what you should bring to the church, and why honey is considered to be healing, "Komersant Ukrainian" tells
When to celebrate the Honey Savior 2025
After the transition of the OCU to the New Julian calendar, the Honey Savior is celebrated annually on August 1 (previously on August 14, Julian style).
On this day, believers commemorate the Exaltation of the Holy Bones of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and the memory of the seven martyrs of Maccabees who died for their faith. The people call this day Makovia, or the First Savior.
Bringing out the honorable branches of the life-giving Cross of the Lord
This holiday originates in Byzantium, in the VIII-IX centuries. It is known that a severe epidemic occurred in Constantinople (now the city of Istanbul). To stop the disease, the priests took a piece of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified and went around the city with it, and also blessed the water bodies.
A miracle happened: after bathing in this water, people began to heal. This is how the tradition of solemnly bringing out the Cross and worshipping it appeared – at first only in Constantinople, and later throughout the Orthodox world.
What does the feast of Maccabiah mean?
In the church calendar, this is a day of courage and unwavering faith. Judah Maccabee, one of the leaders of the uprising against the Hellenization of the Jewish people, became a symbol of resistance. In the folk tradition, it is a harvest festival when newly harvested honey, poppy seeds, and water are blessed.
Honey Savior is also associated with the beginning of honey harvesting at apiaries. This is where the tradition of blessing the first honey in church comes from. It is believed that after consecration, it acquires healing powers.
Traditions on Honey Savior
- The blessing of “makovechyky ” – bouquets of wildflowers and ripe poppy heads. According to popular belief, the bouquet should contain 17 different herbs and flowers: mint, thyme, cornflowers, wormwood, marigolds, sweet clover, etc.
- Blessing of the new harvesthoney – it is considered a symbol of health, wealth and prosperity. Part of the honey is left in the church, and the rest is brought home and treated to the family.
- Blessing of the water – it has long been believed that water has special powers on this day, so people bathed, swam in rivers and even washed cattle.
- Lentendishes with honey and poppy seeds are prepared: pancakes, pies, gingerbread, kutia. They also bake honey gingerbread as a talisman.
What is celebrated on Makoviy
On this day, believers bring a jar of newly harvested honey, poppy seeds, and water to church. At the same time, it is believed that the consecrated honey should be left in the church as an alms. Some housewives also prepare various delicacies from honey and poppy seeds on the feast of Makoviy, which are then consecrated in the church.
It is believed that water blessed on the Honey Savior has healing properties. In this regard, small water blessings are held in churches. According to believers, in order to protect themselves from disease, after the consecration of festive foods, one should eat a spoonful of honey and wash it down with three sips of consecrated water.
Also, on St. Maccabee’s Day, amulet bouquets are blessed, which are popularly called “poppy flowers.” Such bouquets must include large ripe poppy heads, which are usually complemented by wild herbs and various flowers. In total, such a bouquet should contain 17 herbs and flowers, namely
- mint
- wormwood
- oats or wheat, rye
- oregano
- st. John’s wort
- immortelle
- marigolds
- cornflowers
- sunflower;
- rue
- sweet clover
- gentian
- lovage;
- thistle
- yarrow
- cornflower
- chicory and others.
However, it is important to remember that it is strictly forbidden to throw away blessed “poppy flowers” as they serve as a home amulet. They should be kept near icons at least until spring. Our ancestors believed in the magical power of such bouquets and often sprinkled them on their homes to ward off evil spirits, and blessed poppy heads were placed under children’s pillows to ensure a restful sleep.
Prohibitions on Makoviy
On Honey Savior it is not recommended to
- quarrel, swear, think evil;
- engage in heavy physical labor;
- cleaning the house, washing, sewing, knitting;
- to consecrate meat, alcohol, dairy products, money or jewelry in the temple;
- organize noisy feasts, drink alcohol.
This is a time for prayer, purification of body and soul, gratitude for the harvest, and the beginning of spiritual renewal.
Assumption Lent: what you need to know
Makovia also marks the beginning of the Dormition Fast, which will last until August 14 (the Assumption of the Virgin Mary).
The Assumption Lent, which lasts two weeks, is considered as strict as Lent.
People say that the Blessed Virgin, preparing for eternal life, fasted and prayed a lot to purify her soul and body. Therefore, we too should resort to fasting to become closer to the mother of Jesus. It is believed that it is today that women are forgiven for all their sinful deeds.
During the Assumption Fast, one cannot have fun, organize noisy celebrations, and it is forbidden to swear, curse, gossip, and condemn. Weddings are also not allowed during this time, but you can register a marriage.
In addition, you need to observe a fast in food. During the fast, you cannot eat meat, eggs, or dairy products. It is allowed to eat fish only on one day – the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6).
During the Assumption Fast, the strictest days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On these days, you are allowed to eat raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, dried fruits, honey, bread, salt, honey, and wash them down with water.
On Tuesday and Thursday, you can eat hot dishes, but they must be cooked without oil. Hot dishes with oil are allowed on Saturday and Sunday. You can also drink wine on these days.
During this period, it is worth devoting more time to prayer, going to church, confessing and receiving the Holy Communion. During the Assumption Fast, it is also customary to make religious processions to water bodies and bless wells. After the blessing, people usually bathe in the water – it is believed that a person will become healthier.
During the fast, one should always do good deeds and help those in need.
