The priest listed unacceptable folk rituals for the Apple Savior

Many common practices on Apple Day, such as fortune-telling or rituals with fruits, are pagan in nature, and they should not be confused with Orthodox celebrations. This was stated in an interview with Izvestia by the cleric of the Moscow Church of the Forty Sevastian Martyrs in Spasskaya Sloboda, Archpriest Maxim Pervozvansky.

"There are very common practices, such as fortune-telling or rituals with fruits. But this is a pagan thing, the Church has nothing to do with it," Father Maxim said.

The priest also gave recommendations to those who want to celebrate the holiday in a Christian way and not succumb to superstitions. He recalled that Yablochny Spas is the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which falls exactly in the middle of the Dormition Fast.

Yablochny Spas – 2026: why the consecration of apples is not the main thing on this great holiday

The spiritual meaning of the holiday is to remind people that their lives should be transformed by the light of God's grace.

"For a person who wants to celebrate the Apple Feast in a Christian way and not succumb to superstition, it is worth reminding: the feast of the Transfiguration falls exactly in the middle of the Dormition Fast. This is a very short, two-week fast before the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, and the Transfiguration is celebrated exactly in the middle of it. If you want to celebrate the day in a Christian way, try to fast for at least a few days, and be sure to visit the temple on the holiday itself," the archpriest explained.

He added that you can bring any vegetables and fruits grown on your own to the service: apples, grapes and even zucchini.

Earlier, the priest said that apples consecrated for the Transfiguration do not become holy because they are sprinkled with holy water. The remains of fruits can be disposed of in the usual way, no special "ritual" approach is required.