On 19 August, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the biggest church holidays… the Transfiguration of Our Lord, which has the popular nickname “Apple Spas”. On this day, parishes serve liturgy, and, after services end, the priests bless the first-fruits of the harvest. According to custom, after the priest blesses the fruit, the people eat some of it before having a normal lunch. Blessed fruit is supposed to be shared generously with others; hence, the old proverb, “On the second Saviour’s day {Transfiguration: editor}, the beggars will eat apples” («На второй Спас и нищий яблочко съест»).
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The Transfiguration of Our Lord
St Andrei Rublyov
15th century
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The Church commemorates an occurrence on Mount Tabor associated with the earthly life of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospel, on the day that Jesus Christ was transfigured, three of His three disciples, John, James, and Peter were witnesses. Christ’s face shone like the sun, and His clothes glowed with a white light. Two of the Old Testament prophets, Ss Moses and Ilya, appeared and talked with the Lord. A cloud came down, and a voice came from it, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased; hear Him”.
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The historical event occurred in February, forty days before Easter, but the church moved the celebration to August, as marking the actual date would fall within the Great Lent.
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Through its celebration of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, the Church solemnly professes and glorifies the connection between the Divine and Human Natures in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Lord used His Transfiguration to protect His apostles from discouragement, to keep up their spirits through the coming disappointments that He knew that they would have to face.
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The Transfiguration in Russia is known as the “second” or the “Apple” Spas, as we bless new ripe apples at this time. Of the three “Spas” holidays… “Honey” (Procession of the Honourable Wood of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, 14 August), “Apple” (Transfiguration of Our Lord, 19 August), and “Walnut” (the Wonderworking Icon of Christ “Not Made by Hands”, 29 August)… the Three August Feasts of the Lord, this is the most important one.
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On this day, believers bring fruit to the services to be blessed.
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According to the Orthodox calendar, Apple Spas comes during the Assumption Lent, but believers can eat the apples and other fruits blessed after the end of services on 19 August.
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Traditionally, for Apple Spas, people bake apple pies and cook up batches of apple preserves, and they share these with one another. The old peasant belief is that Apple Spas is the end of summer heat, and that autumn coolness starts soon afterwards.
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The Transfiguration is ever joyful, always peaceful, and full of bright hope; the clergy wear white vestments on this day.
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19 August 2011
Voice of Russia World Service
