Orekhovy Spas – 2026: what is important to do on a holiday for well-being
At the end of August, Orthodox believers will celebrate the Walnut, or Bread Savior. This day in Russia was considered a turning point when it was necessary to have time to stock up on nuts, bake bread from new flour and be sure to go shopping at the fair. All the details are in the Izvestia article.
When will Orekhovy Spas be in 2026
The Walnut Savior, which is also known as the Third Savior, has a fixed calendar date. It is celebrated annually on August 29. In 2026, this day falls on a Saturday.
The holiday comes the day after the great ecclesiastical celebration of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on August 28.
In the folk tradition, the Walnut Savior closes the series of Orthodox summer holidays, symbolizing the final transition from field work to autumn cares and preparations for winter.
What is Nutty Savior and why is he called the Third Savior?
All three August Saviours received their folk names in honor of the gifts of nature that ripen at a specific time. The first, Honey, is celebrated on August 14 in honor of the beginning of the honey harvest. The second one, the Apple One, falls on August 19th, when the apples ripen. The third Savior is associated with the ripening of hazelnuts, which in Russia were allowed to be harvested and eaten from that day on.
The church name of the holiday is completely different — the Transfer from Edessa to Constantinople of the Uncreated Image of the Lord Jesus Christ, or the Savior Uncreated. According to an ancient legend, the king of Edessa, Abgar, who suffered from incurable leprosy, having learned about the miracles of Jesus Christ, sent his artist Ananias to him. He was supposed to paint a portrait of the Savior, but could not approach Christ because of the large crowd.
Then Jesus himself called the artist, and then asked for water and a towel, washed and wiped his face. His face was miraculously imprinted on the fabric. Ananias brought this cloth to Edessa, and King Abgar, venerating the shrine, was instantly healed. On August 29, 944, this image was solemnly transferred from Edessa to Constantinople, which served as the basis for the establishment of the holiday.
Why is Walnut Savior called Bread and Canvas
Folk tradition gave the Third Savior several names at once, each of which reflects an important aspect of peasant life. In addition to the name "Nutty", associated with the collection of hazelnuts (hazelnuts), there are also "Bread" and "Canvas".
Bread Savior was nicknamed because by August 29, the grain harvest was coming to an end in Russia. The housewives baked the first loaf of flour from the new harvest and always took it to the church for consecration. It was believed that such bread has a special power and should be kept in the house as a talisman against hunger.
The name "Canvas" (or "Saved on canvas") has two sources at once. The first refers to the legend of an image Not made with hands, imprinted on the canvas. The second one is connected with the tradition of holding large-scale fairs on this day, where peasants sold homespun linen and canvases. It was considered a bad omen to leave such a fair empty-handed, so every guest necessarily bought something, especially fabrics and shirts.
The main traditions of the Walnut Savior in Russia
Orthodox Christians began the morning of the Nut Savior with a visit to the temple. Solemn liturgies in honor of the Savior Not Made with Hands were held in the church, after which the priest consecrated the gifts of the new harvest brought by the parishioners.: baskets with nuts, ears of wheat, grain and, of course, bread baked from new flour.
Special importance was attached to the consecration of water and the purification of wells. It was believed that underground springs gain healing power on this day, and the water drawn from them can heal from ailments. After the service, nuts and bread were carried home, where they were used to prepare a festive meal. The housewives baked pies and loaves, to which raisins and nuts were added to the dough.
Picking nuts on this day turned into a real family ritual. The first plucked fruit was supposed to be eaten by himself, and the second one was given to the first person he met or a random passerby. It was believed that this way you could ward off damage and ensure good luck for the whole year. People believed that the hazel branches on this day had a special magical power. They were used to make amulets for the house, and in the bath they were steamed with special walnut brooms to wash away diseases and the evil eye.
What can and cannot be done on Orekhovy Spas
In Russia, various prohibitions were associated with the Third Savior, the observance of which, according to beliefs, could protect a person from harm. The main prohibition was disrespectful attitude to bread. It was believed that even the crumbs of this sacred product should not be thrown away, otherwise the family would suffer starvation and ruin.
It was strictly forbidden to quarrel, swear, or wish anyone harm, even in thought. The ancestors believed that any negative sent out into the world on that day would return to the sender in threefold amounts. It was also not recommended to refuse to help those in need and begging, as indifference could lead to difficulties in their own lives.
In popular culture, they tried to avoid heavy physical labor on the Walnut Savior: the holiday should have been dedicated to prayer. It was supposed to end the day at a rich table with the family, so as not to bring misery and loneliness for the whole year.
Folk signs on Orekhovy Spas
There are many folk signs associated with the Walnut Savior, which were used to judge the weather for autumn and winter. The most famous of them is bird watching: if the cranes have already started flying south on August 29, it means that the first severe frosts will hit the Cover (October 14).
Rain or thunderstorms on the holiday promised a warm and mild autumn, while sunny and clear weather, on the contrary, foreshadowed a cold and harsh winter. It was also believed that the more nuts there were in the forest, the richer the rye and wheat harvest would be next year.
Although the church does not approve of magical rituals, fortune-telling by nuts occupied a special place. After picking the first fruit, it was split and the core was evaluated. If the nut turned out to be ripe and sweet, the year promised to be successful and full of love. An unripe fruit promised important news, a rotten one promised trouble and illness, and a bitter one promised problems and disappointments. A twin nut found in the forest was considered a talisman for good luck and financial well-being, it was kept in a purse or behind an icon.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
