Honey Saved on August 14th: what time is the church service, strong prayer

Every year on August 14, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Taking down of the Precious Trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord. The holiday was popularly called Honey Savior. On this day, believers bring honey from the new harvest to the temples to consecrate it. Read about how the divine service takes place and what to pray for on the holiday in the Izvestia article.

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The festive divine service on Honey Savior begins early in the morning with confession and Divine Liturgy. The exact time depends on the schedule of a particular temple, but usually believers arrive at the temple by 07:00-08:00. The service duration is about three hours.

The festive hymns of the Honey Savior are dedicated to several important events in the life of the church. On August 14, the Venerable Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord are demolished, the Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as the day of remembrance of the Maccabean martyrs of the Old Testament. In addition, August 14 (August 1 in the old style) is considered the true date of the Baptism of Rus.

The Feast of the Veneration of the Precious Trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord was established in the 9th century in Constantinople. August was the hottest month of the year, which contributed to the spread of diseases, including those caused by drinking dirty water. To prevent epidemics, the clergy brought the Cross on which Jesus was crucified to the people and performed the rite of water consecration. It was believed that a person drinking consecrated water would not get sick.

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The feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos is dedicated to the miraculous victories of the Russian and Greek princes through the intercession of Christ and the Mother of God. In 1164, Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky launched a campaign against the Volga Bulgars, who oppressed the inhabitants of the Rostov and Suzdal lands. He took with him the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. As a result, the invaders were completely defeated. On the same day, the Greek Emperor Manuel defeated the Saracens. The icons of Christ and the Holy Cross helped him in this. According to legend, during the battle, both Russian and Greek images exuded a bright radiance that all the warriors saw.

Also on August 14, believers remember the Old Testament martyrs, the Maccabean brothers, their mother Solomonia and teacher Eleazar. All of them suffered for their faith in 166 BC during the reign of the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes. He pursued a policy of Hellenization and tried to force the Jews to worship the Greek gods. Eleazar, the teacher of the Law, his seven disciples and their mother refused to sacrifice to idols, for which they were brutally murdered. In memory of them, the Savior on August 14 is also called the Poppy.

At matins on the day of the Honey Savior, a great hymn is sung. After it, the Cross is removed — it is placed on a lectern in the center of the temple. Then the Cross is worshipped and kissed. During the festive liturgy, a small consecration of water is performed. Hence another popular name for the celebration — Wet Saved, or Saved on the water.

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After the end of the liturgy, honey and other products are consecrated in churches, which believers bring to the service. In Russia, the Honey Harvest coincided with the beginning of the honey harvest. To thank God for the harvest, beekeepers brought honeycombs from the new harvest to the temple. Part of the product was donated to the church, part was distributed to those in need and to children who came to the apiary for treats, and the rest was kept for themselves. The tradition of donating consecrated honey to the church exists to this day.

Before the beginning of the evening service on the Honeymoon, the priest places a Cross on the altar and decorates it with a wreath of fresh flowers. After the end of Vespers, the shrine returns to the altar.

What to pray for on the Honeymoon on August 14th

Traditionally, on Honeymas, farmers and beekeepers thank God for the harvest and ask for blessings for further work. However, this is not the only reason for prayer on the holiday. The Orthodox Church does not set any restrictions on the "subject matter" of prayers — believers can turn to Christ, the Mother of God and the saints for any reason.

What can I pray for on my Honeymoon:

• on the forgiveness of sins, strengthening in faith (especially relevant on the eve of the Dormition Fast);
• about health and well-being for yourself and your loved ones;
• about help in a difficult situation, guidance on the right path;
• about family happiness, harmony between relatives.

The most powerful prayer for the Honey Savior

On the Honeymoon, it is customary to read prayers to the Holy Cross or the All-Merciful Savior. They are allowed to be pronounced not only on a holiday, but also at any other time when a person needs the protection and support of the Lord.

Prayer to the Honest Cross

"May God arise, and His enemies be scattered, and may all those who hate him flee from Him. As the smoke disappears, so let them disappear; and as wax melts from the fire, so the demons will perish before those who love God and are marked by the sign of the Cross and exclaim with joy: hail, Venerable and Life-giving Cross of the Lord, who casts out demons through the power of our crucified Lord Jesus Christ, Who descended into hell and trampled the power of the devil and He gave us You, His Honest Cross, to drive out every enemy. O Venerable and Life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me with the Holy Lady, the Virgin Theotokos, and with all the saints forever and ever. Amen to that."

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Prayer to the All-Merciful Savior

"O Holy Master, Who livest in the highest, and lookest with Thine all-seeing eye upon all creation! We bow our heads to You, body and soul, and we pray to You, Holy of Holies, stretch out Your invisible hand from Your holy dwelling, and bless us all, and forgive us every sin, voluntary or involuntary, committed in word or deed. Grant us, O Lord, contrition, grant the tears of a contrite soul for the cleansing of our many sins, grant Your great mercy to Your world and to us, Your unworthy servant, for blessed and most glorified is Your Name, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia shared its most powerful prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker.