The August Orthodox calendar of the church is distinguished by special celebrations dedicated to the Savior Jesus Christ. These holidays received the popular name Spasov. The Last Savior (walnut) is celebrated on August 29 according to the new style.
In the Orthodox folk tradition, there are three Savior - Honey Savior (August 14th: the day of the wearing out of the Holy Cross of the Lord), Apple Savior (August 19th: Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ) and Nut Savior (August 29th: transferring the miraculous image of the Savior into Constantinople). These names of the three Savior were entrenched more in the popular consciousness and were the result of the Christianization of pagan Russia, when pagan customs replaced a new worldview, which entailed a new Orthodox culture.
The Nut Savior is so named because on this day on August 29th it is customary to consecrate nuts in Orthodox churches. Before the adoption of Christianity by Russia, the end of summer included holidays to collect various crops, including nuts. What was given to man by the earth could very well be used as various rituals. With the advent of Christianity in Russia, man did not abandon the practice of collecting various crops, and for the gifts of nature it was necessary to give praise to God. So the practice of consecrating various products appeared, whether it be honey, vegetables and fruits or nuts for the holidays of the Savior. This is a symbol of man’s gratitude to God for his gifts.
On nut Spas in Russia, it was customary in the morning to attend a service at which nuts are consecrated. Then they prepared a treat for relatives, close and poor. Baked pies, bread, used nuts for refreshments. Another name for Nut Savior is Bread Spas. This naming is due to the fact that the end of August was marked by the harvest of bread.
There is another name for the Nut Savior - Savior on canvas (on canvases). In Russia on that day, it was customary to trade canvases and canvases. This naming of the Third Savior is most suitable for the Orthodox canonical holiday, celebrated on August 29th. In particular, on this day, celebrations are held dedicated to the transfer of the miraculous miraculous image of Christ the Savior to Constantinople.
The sacred tradition of the Christian Church tells us that during the time of the Savior's earthly life, a certain King of Edessa, Avgar, fell ill with leprosy. The ruler, having heard about the many miracles of Christ, sent a painter to the Lord to write the image of Jesus, which would later serve as a source of healing. The Savior, seeing such a faith of the king, performed a miracle. Having washed his face with water, Christ wiped his face with a canvas on which the miraculous face of Christ was miraculously displayed. Christ conveyed the image to the painter Ananias and promised to send one of his disciples to the king of the apostles for healing. Subsequently, the Apostle Thaddeus was sent to Edessa to heal the king and enlighten all the inhabitants of the Syrian city.
The miraculous image of the Savior was erected at the gate in front of the entrance to the city, but subsequently, after the conquest of Edessa by the Muslims, the image was stolen. Nine centuries later, the Byzantine Emperor Michael III bought this image, and in 944, during the reign of the Byzantine ruler Konstantin Bagryanorodny, the image was solemnly transferred to Constantinople. It was from this day that the celebration began of transferring the miraculous image of Christ the Savior to Constantinople.
