The origin of the trees of the life-giving cross of the Lord. The origin (wearing) of the honest trees of the life-giving cross of the Lord. honey spas
On August 14 (August 1 according to the Julian calendar), on the first day of the Dormition Fast, the Church celebrates the Origin (wearing) of the Holy Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. According to the Rule, it is classified as a minor feast “with doxology”, but it has one day of forefeast.
The word "origin", or more precisely translated from Greek, then “pre-origination”, i.e. “carrying ahead”, means the procession that took place on this day ( procession) with a part of the original Tree of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Already in the Rite Book of Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenic (912-959) there are detailed rules for the removal of the Honest Tree from the reliquary, performed before August 14th. An 1897 Greek Book of Hours explains this tradition in the following way: « Due to illnesses, which were very common in August, the custom has long been established in Constantinople to bring the Holy Tree of the Cross onto roads and streets to sanctify places and ward off illnesses. This is the “pre-origination” of the Holy Cross. Therefore, the word "wearing out" is added to the name of the holiday.».
The holiday was set in the capital Byzantine Empire Constantinople in the 9th century, and in the 12th-13th centuries it established itself in all Orthodox churches. In Rus', this holiday appeared with the spread of the Jerusalem Rule at the end of the 14th century.
August 14 in Russian Orthodox Church also committed Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos in memory of the signs from the honest icons of the Savior and the Mother of God during the battles of the Greek Tsar Manuel (1143-1180) with the Saracens and the Russian Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky with the Volga Bulgarians in 1164
Blessed Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky ( son of Grand Duke Yuri Vladimirovich and grandson of the glorious Vladimir Monomakh) took on a campaign against the Volga Bulgarians ( Bulgarians, or Bulgars, were called pagans who lived on the lower reaches of the Volga) miraculous icon Vladimirskaya Mother of God and the Honorable Cross of Christ, before the battle, fervently prayed, asking for the protection and patronage of the Lady. Having entered the field, the Russian army put the Bulgarians to flight and, pursuing them, captured five cities, including the city of Bryakhimov on the Kama River. When they returned after the battle with the infidels to their camp, they saw that from the icon of the Mother of God with the Infant Christ come bright, like fiery rays, illuminating the entire army. The wondrous spectacle aroused the spirit of courage and hope in the Grand Duke even more, and he again, turning his regiments in pursuit of the Bulgarians, pursued the enemy and burned most of their cities, placing tribute on the survivors.
On the same day, thanks to help from above, the Roman emperor Manuel also won a victory over the Saracens (Muslims). The Greek emperor Manuel Komnenos, who went out with his army against the Saracens, on the same day also saw a similar miracle - the emanation from the icon of the Most Pure Theotokos with the Savior, which was together with the honest Cross among the army, overshadowing the entire regiment, and on this day he defeated the Saracens.
Tsar Manuel and Prince Andrei, who were in peace and brotherly love among themselves, happened to go to war on the same day: the first from Constantinople against the Saracens, and the second from Rostov against the Volga Bulgarians. The Lord God gave them complete victory over the enemies.
Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky soon found out about a miraculous event in Greece, and the Greek Emperor Manuel - about a similar miracle in Russia by grace. Both of them glorified God, and then, after consultation with their bishops and dignitaries, they decided to establish on August 14 feast to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother.
On this holiday in the temples, the removal of the Cross and the worship of it are supposed. According to the order now accepted in the Russian Church, a small consecration of water on August 14 according to the new style is performed before or after the liturgy. According to tradition, along with the consecration of water, the consecration of honey is performed.
Kontakion of the Holy Cross, tone 4
Ascended to the Cross by your will, / to your namesake new residence / grant your bounty, Christ God, / rejoice us with your strength, / giving us victories against adversaries, / benefit to those who have Your weapons of peace / invincible victory.
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victory to the opposition, and Thy preservation by Your Cross domicile. (Troparion, tone 1)
Ascend to the Cross by your will, to your namesake new residence, grant Your bounty, Christ God, rejoice us with Your power, giving us victories for adversaries, granting those who have Your weapon of peace an invincible victory (Kontakion, tone 4)
Your Cross, Lord, be sanctified, in it there are healings for the weak in sins, for whose sake we bow down to Thee, have mercy on us (Sedal, tone 6)
The Feast of the Origin (or Deposition) of the precious trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord was established in Constantinople. In the Greek horology, the tradition of bringing out a part of the Cross of the Lord is explained as follows: “Because of the diseases that were very common in August, the custom has long been established in Constantinople to bring the Holy Tree of the Cross onto roads and streets to sanctify places and avert diseases. On the eve of July 31, wearing it out of the royal treasury, they put it on St. meal great church(Sofia). From this day onwards, until the Dormition of the Mother of God, litias were performed throughout the city and the cross was offered to the people for worship. This is the predescent (προοδοσ) of the Holy Cross.” 
The very word "origin" (and in the exact translation "predescent") means "carrying in front", "procession with a cross" or "procession". For healing from diseases, people kissed the Cross, drank the water consecrated by it.
There is another reason for the establishment of the holiday. In 1164, the Greek Tsar Manuel opposed the Saracens, on the same day, the Russian prince Andrei Bogolyubsky opposed the Bulgarians. On the campaign, the prince took the holy Cross of the Lord and the icon of the Mother of God, which the priests carried before the warrior, performing prayers and sprinkling holy water warriors.
The Lord granted victory to the Greek tsar and the Russian prince. Both, armed with a shield of faith, and not just with spears and swords, in addition to victory received another sign of God's blessing: from the icon of the Mother of God with the Christ Child, light poured out in the form of a radiant radiance that fell on all his army. A similar phenomenon from the icon of the Mother of God was observed by Tsar Manuel with his army. The prince and the tsar learned about the miraculous grace of the Lord, poured out on both at the same time. After consultation with the bishops, it was decided to establish a feast for the Lord and His Most Pure Mother on August 1st.
The holiday is dedicated to the Cross, the feat of the Cross of the Savior. Hence the name - Spas. It is called the First Savior, since it is the first among the holidays dedicated to the Savior that are close in time. It is followed by the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the feast miraculous image Savior.
According to the custom, in addition to the blessing of water, the consecration of honey takes place in temples. Believers bring honey as a sign that the first harvest is for God. Consecrating the honey of the first honey collection, people received a blessing for the entire harvest. According to tradition, part of the honey remained in the church, part was given to the poor. There is even an expression: “On the First Spas, even a beggar will try a honey!” Hence the name of the First Savior - "honey".
Feast of Origin Honest Trees The Life-Giving Cross of the Lord is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on the first of August according to the old style and on the fourteenth of August according to the new one. This day has special meaning, because it is dedicated to one of the greatest shrines of Christianity.
Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Story
The cross was found three centuries after the crucifixion of the son of God. The story of how this sacred for all was found Orthodox people subject, entered the content of the Akathist to the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. It tells how during the terrible time Emperor Constantine appeared, who finally delivered believers from constant persecution and executions. Until that time, the Orthodox were forced to hide their religion and conduct church services in secret, often paying for their faith with freedom and even life.
Saints Constantine and Helena
It was during these times that the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine came to power, whose mother, also later glorified in the Face of Saints, went down in history as a person who led the search for the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. On the Origin of the Honest Trees, these events are recalled in the church service. When Saint Helena undertook a trip to Jerusalem to seek the greatest shrine Christianity and other relics, her son contributed in every possible way to this enterprise.
The pious queen was warmly welcomed by Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem, who became famous for having carried out the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. When the sacred relic was discovered, then according to the prevailing by that time Eastern tradition raised the Cross and showed it to the people who were on the streets of Jerusalem.
Feasts of the Cross
So he did four times, turning to the four cardinal directions. Archbishop Macarius is also known for advising Elena on the method by which the true cross of the Lord was determined, out of three discovered near Golgotha. This is described in detail in the hymns of the service for the Feast of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Wise old man said that a real shrine should be possessed healing properties. Therefore, the Tree of the Cross was applied to the body of a terminally ill woman, who was cured as a result. According to another version, the deceased was resurrected, who was carried to the cemetery for burial.
Another great idea of Empress Elena was the construction of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the Holy Land, on the site where the Cross of the Lord was discovered. But this undertaking of the saint was not destined to come true during her lifetime. After the Equal-to-the-Apostles died, her son, Emperor Constantine, continued the construction. The Lord's Cross is a shrine to which two church holidays, one of which is one of the twelve main holidays of the Orthodox Church, the other, which is called the Day of the Origin (Pronouncement) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, although it is not the twelfth holiday, but, despite this, is dearly loved by the people.
Russian tradition
A huge number of people usually gather for services and, traditionally held on this day, a religious procession. The origin (wearing) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord is also called the honey Savior. This is one of the three Spasovs known in Orthodoxy. Before and after the service, the consecration of water and honey usually takes place. A few words should be said about the meaning of the name of this holiday. The word "origin" in this context refers to the traditional procession that takes place after the liturgy.
Baptism of Rus'
For Russian Orthodox people, this date has another meaning. It was on the day of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord that Rus' was baptized by the holy Prince Vladimir, who was also called the Red Sun by the people. Whether this particular holiday was specially chosen in order to hold this significant event, history is silent about this. However, it is possible that the coincidence is not accidental. Although the word "origin" in the name of the celebration is usually interpreted in a less common sense, nevertheless, one must still say about the actual origin of the Cross of the Lord.
About the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
According to the version professed by the Orthodox Church, this sacred object was made of three types wood. After the relic was discovered, the saint decided that the cross should be divided so that believers from several countries would have the opportunity to bow to the sacred relic. In Russia, there is also one of the parts of the life-giving Cross of the Lord.
Godin's Cross
It was found in a swampy area near the city of Yaroslavl and is now in a monastery located in a small settlement called Godenovo. From this cross, which was made from found wood and placed in main church monastic monastery, several copies were made. They are in churches different parts Russia and Ukraine. One of these shrines was in space orbit during the expedition of the Russian-American team of cosmonauts.
Processions and icons
In the procession, which certainly takes place on the feast of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, the first invariably go the priests who carry wooden crosses ahead of yourself. In churches where there is a copy of the Gaudin cross, the shrines usually participate in the procession. During the service dedicated to this great day, an akathist to the Origin of the Honest Trees of the life-giving Cross of the Lord and a troparion are read. There are also icons dedicated to this church date. They are, as a rule, painted in the traditional Russian icon-painting manner by medieval masters.
But there are some features that distinguish them. As a rule, the composition of these icons is much more complicated than on older icons. The image is divided into two plans - upper and lower. At the bottom of the icon are painted praying people and angels performing the rite of consecrating water, and at the top - Christ and the Blessed Virgin surrounded by saints. Representatives of the upper world stand on the rocks, which symbolizes, on the one hand, the difficult path of man to heaven, and on the other hand, the firmness and inviolability of faith.
Holiday in Byzantium
The establishment of this holiday is also connected with that circumstance. In medieval Constantinople, numerous epidemics of terrible diseases occurred every year at the end of summer. The doctors of that time did not know how to cope with the misfortune, and therefore it remained only to hope for the mercy of the Lord God.
Prayers were lifted up to the Creator during the processions, which marched along the main streets of all Orthodox cities, singing the glory of Jesus Christ, and praying to the Lord for mercy and granting the people salvation from all diseases.
saving image
In Rus', the holiday began to be celebrated only 500 years after its establishment on the territory of the Byzantine Empire. In the Russian chronicles, the reason for its occurrence was explained as follows: religious processions are important for the enlightenment of the people and for the blessing of water.
Also on this day, they remember the victory of the Russian army over Volga Bulgars before the battle. The commander prayed in front of the icon of the Mother of God, which holds the baby Jesus in her arms. During the battle, priests were present among the soldiers, who carried the image in the middle of the army. At the same time, the ruler of Constantinople also waged war with enemies and won. The two kings were familiar with each other and knew about the military successes of each.
It must be said that both rulers not only prayed fervently themselves, but also showed by their example how the whole rati should act. When both troops returned to their camps, all the soldiers saw that a miraculous glow emanated from the image of the Most Pure Virgin Mary. The rulers informed each other about this, as well as the bishops of their states, and together they came to the conclusion that a holiday should be established in honor of this event on the first day of August.
Holiday Features
Even in the Orthodox tradition, this date is associated with the beginning of one of the fasts of the year-round liturgical cycle, namely the first day of the Dormition Fast. Church service is held like those that are usually arranged on the day of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, as well as on Great Lent, that is, on its third week, when the acquisition of the Cross of the Lord and the events that happened at that time in the city of Jerusalem are remembered.
It is believed that prayer before the icon of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord helps in cleansing from sins when performed with proper reverence, repentance and attention. The Akathist dedicated to this shrine, like any other example of this church genre, can be performed not only within the walls of the temple, but also at home, moreover, a priest does not have to be present.
The pre-feast of the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord lasts one day, that is, the eve of the celebration is also solemnly celebrated. It was then that the removal of the Cross from the altar and its laying on for worship by all the people took place. It must be said that the tradition of consecrating water on the first day of the month existed in ancient Byzantium, from where it was adopted by the Russian Orthodox tradition. In Constantinople, the current ruler of the country usually took part in these events.
Baptism of Rus'
Therefore, it is easy to trace the connection of this event with the day of the Baptism of Rus', when several thousand Kyiv people were converted to Christianity at once by Prince Vladimir. There is a legend that Vladimir the Red Sun, realizing the failure of the pagan religion that existed in Rus', decided to accept new faith, and to select it, he sent his ambassadors to some countries where the main religions were professed in order for them to conclude that each is the main thing. The most convincing was the story of the servants who visited Byzantium and spoke about the religion that was adopted in this state.
Now Prince Vladimir the Red Sun is glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in the face of saints as Equal to the Apostles, that is, the man whose deeds were similar in their meaning to the deeds of the disciples of Christ, who spread Christian doctrine around the world.
water blessing
The consecration of water in Rus' took place and is taking place at the present time before the service and the sermon on the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord or after the service, sometimes before and after. In the old days, for example, under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, they settled on the river in the capital Russian state places for dipping. Such places are called Jordan. In addition to this holiday, they are also made for Epiphany.
After the consecration of water, the consecration of honey takes place. In the old days, this rank was given special importance. After it was held, people were allowed to eat honey from the new harvest. First, the clergy were treated, then the honey was distributed to orphans and the poor. Only after that did all the other parishioners start the meal. Here is what is said in the annals about the celebration of this day in Moscow under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov: “Traditionally, the Jordan was arranged on the Moscow River, places were equipped near it for the autocrat and the patriarch. The ruler of Russia that day plunged into the water, dressed in light shirt, over which gold crosses with the relics of saints were necessarily put on.
After the patriarch blessed the king, the rite of blessing the water took place. The priests sprinkled the troops standing near the Kremlin, and all the people who had gathered. Water for the palace was poured into two specially prepared silver vessels. Religious processions and the blessing of water were held not only in cities, but also in villages. Not only people dipped there, but also animals. Shepherds drove herds of large and small to the river cattle as well as horses. But this happened in places located at a sufficient distance from the Jordan. For the reason that this day is closely connected with the consecration of water, it is also popularly called the wet Savior.
This holiday was established in Constantinople because of the illnesses that often happened there in August. The beginning of this holiday dates back to the 9th century, and from the 12th-13th centuries it became established in all local Churches. In Constantinople, there was a custom according to which every year a part of the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross of the Lord, kept in the house church of the Byzantine emperors, was worn out in the church of St. Sophia, where the blessing of water took place. Then, starting from the first of August, for two weeks this shrine was carried around the city, while lithium was served "to sanctify places and ward off diseases." On August 14, the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross was transferred back to the royal chambers.
The Russian name for the holiday “origin” is an incorrect translation of the Greek word, which means a solemn ceremony, a religious procession. Therefore, in the name of the holiday, it is replaced or supplemented with the word “wear”.
In the Russian Church, this celebration was combined with the remembrance of the Baptism of Rus' on August 1, 988. In the “Tale of the Effective Orders of the Holy Cathedral and Apostolic Great Church of the Assumption”, compiled in 1627 by order of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Filaret, the following explanation of the holiday on August 1 is given: human, in all cities and towns.
The news of the day of the Baptism of Rus' was preserved in the chronographs of the 16th century: “The prince was baptized great Vladimir Kievan and all Rus on August 1." On this holiday in the temples, the removal of the Cross and the worship of it are supposed. According to the order now accepted in the Russian Church, a small consecration of water on August 1 is performed before or after the liturgy.
The Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on the same day, was established on the occasion of the signs from the icons of the Savior, Holy Mother of God and the Holy Cross during the battles of the holy noble prince Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1174) with the Volga Bulgarians. In 1164, Andrei Bogolyubsky undertook a campaign against the Volga Bulgarians, who were pressing the oppressed inhabitants of the Rostov and Suzdal lands. Trusting in the help of the Queen of Heaven, the prince took with him Her miraculous icon, which was brought by him from Kyiv and subsequently received the name of Vladimir. Two priests in vestments carried in front of the army a holy icon and the Holy Cross of Christ. Before the battle, the pious prince, having communed the Holy Mysteries, turned with fervent prayer to the Mother of God: “Everyone who trusts in Thee, Lady, will not perish, and I, a sinner, have a wall and cover in You.” Following the prince, generals and warriors fell to their knees before the icon, and, kissing the image, went against the enemy.
The Bulgarians were defeated and put to flight. According to legend, on the same day the Greek emperor Manuel defeated the Saracens. Indisputable evidence of the miraculousness of both these victories was the huge fiery rays coming out of the icons of the Savior, the Mother of God and the Holy Cross that were in the troops. These rays covered the regiments of the faithful rulers of Greece and Russia and were visible to all who fought. In memory of these miraculous victories, with the mutual consent of Prince Andrei and Emperor Manuel and with the blessing of representatives of the highest church authority, and a feast was established for the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos.
Honey Spas
Sermon by Priest John Pavlov
On today's holiday, there are always people in the temple - people bring honey from a new collection to consecrate. Hence the name of the holiday - Honey Savior. On this day, the Church remembers several events at once. Firstly, today is one of the three holidays of the year when the Holy Cross is brought out for veneration. This is due to the fact that in ancient times in Byzantium the month of August was considered the time when epidemics, diseases and other disasters intensified. This has been known from centuries of experience. And so, in order to strengthen itself against illnesses and disasters, in order to protect itself from them, the Church established the custom of taking the holy Cross out into the streets of Constantinople, where prayers were served before it. The cross was taken out on the first day of August according to the old style - this is just today. The cross of Christ is a great weapon for Christians, great power and assistance in disasters and trials. And people by faith received this help from the holy tree of the Cross.
By the way, it must be said that in our time the month of August is often unfavorable - for some reason, it is in this month that we hear reports of various accidents, catastrophes, accidents more than in others, and this is evidence that in our time, the removal of the Cross has not lost its significance, and we still need it to strengthen and protect it with the power of the cross.
Another event currently being celebrated is the Baptism of Rus' by the Holy Prince Vladimir, which, according to ancient tradition took place on the first day of the month of August. Of course, for the Russian Church and the Russian people this is a great triumph. It can be said that today we celebrate the birthday of the Russian Church, as well as the Russian people, since it was today that they were born for true and eternal life, threw off the dark and filthy sacks of paganism and put on a new man, in Christ, in bright clothes God's Grace.
What is Grace? Grace is an almighty force emanating from God, which unites a person with God and makes us His own children. Without Grace, we are infinitely far from God and from everything heavenly, we are strangers to God. But Grace can only be received by a person who has been reborn in the sacrament of holy Baptism; it is impossible for an unbaptized person to receive it. The sacrament of Baptism is the greatest sacrament; through it, great Grace and regenerating power are given from God. And if the baptism of even one person is a great joy and triumph, about which heaven and earth rejoice, then what kind of joy and triumph is the baptism of the whole Russian people? Indeed it was an event cosmic scale. For great rivers and streams of the Grace of God then spilled over the Russian people and the Russian land.
Between the celebration of the Baptism of Rus' and the consecration of honey on this day, at first glance, there is no connection, these are two different church institutions. However, there is nothing accidental in the Church, and in the fact that today we consecrate honey, one can see a deep spiritual meaning. Indeed, honey is a symbol of heavenly sweetness, a symbol of the Grace of God. And therefore, the feast of the consecration of honey is very consonant with the event of the Baptism of Rus', for the holy prince Vladimir, having baptized the Russian people, opened spiritual, heavenly, true honey for them, gave them the opportunity to taste the sweetness of eternal life.
Saint Macarius of Egypt says that everything visible in material world is an image of the invisible that is happening in the spiritual world and in our soul. This means that all material things and phenomena are reflections of spiritual things and phenomena. Saint Macarius, for example, says: “When you see the sun, look for the true Sun… and when you look at the light, look into your soul: have you acquired the true and good light?” And not only light, but also all other phenomena have some deep mysterious meaning, much deeper than their external literal content. If, for example, we look at a clean White snow, then you need to think about the fact that purity is a mystery and a miracle, and that our soul should be just as impeccably clean before God. When we count money in a wallet, we need to remember that there is not only material wealth, but also spiritual - Christian virtues, and look at ourselves from the outside: do we own this inner, true wealth or are we ragged beggars in relation to it? When we admire the beauty of the world, for example, when we look at a magnificent landscape or a sky strewn with stars, then let us think that if the earthly world is so great and beautiful, then how great and beautiful is the heavenly world, where in due time we must enter, if , of course, let's live like a Christian?
So today, consecrating the material, material honey, let's ask ourselves the question: is there in our souls the immaterial, true honey of the Spirit - the Grace of God? Do we feel in ourselves this heavenly nectar, this unearthly sweetness? Or is the bitterness of passions and sins in our souls? After all, if Grace does not live in us, then this means that we have lost our way, gone astray and live without Christ. The Apostle Paul says about this: if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, that is, Grace, he is not Christ. That is why it is main goal Christian life the acquisition of Grace, for only Grace can lead us to Christ and make us related to Him.
Grace must be acquired, acquired, that is, work hard, make efforts to purify your soul from sin and make it a vessel of the Spirit. And here bees again come to our mind, namely, the fact that true Christians are like them. As a wise bee flies, works, looks for flowers and collects nectar from them, and flies away from everything bitter, harmful and unclean, so Christians collect the nectar of Grace from the flowers of good deeds and a pure life, and move away from the bitterness of sins and bad deeds. If we live like this, then in our soul there will be less and less bitterness, that is, sins and passions, and more and more heavenly honey - the Grace of God. And if we do not weaken and become lazy on this path, if we go along it to the end, then, undoubtedly, we will become true and holy children of God, the legitimate heirs of the Future Age, which is precisely the meaning of Christian life on earth.
Celebrating all today's events, we should also remember and thank those little culprits and participants in today's holiday, without which it would not have been possible - that is, bees. For they not only unselfishly collect honey for us with their tireless labors, but also teach us a good saving lesson, teaching Christian wisdom and instructing us on the path leading to eternal life, to the Kingdom of saints. Amen.
On August 1/14, on the first day of the Dormition Fast, the Church celebrates the Origin (wearing) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. According to the Rule, it is classified as a minor feast “with doxology”, but it has one day of forefeast.
Word "origin", or more accurately translated from Greek, then "pre-origin", i.e. "carrying ahead", implies a procession (procession) taking place on this day with a part of the original Tree of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Every year on the first day of August, a part of the Life-Giving Cross, which was kept in the house church of the Greek emperors, was brought to the church of Hagia Sophia and the water was blessed for the healing of diseases. People kissed the Cross on which Christ was crucified, drank the water consecrated by him and received long-awaited health.
Already in the Rite Book of Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenic (912-959) there are detailed rules for the removal of the Honest Tree from the reliquary, performed before August 1. The Greek Book of Hours of 1897 explains this tradition as follows: “Because of illnesses, which were very common in August, the custom has long been established in Constantinople to bring the Holy Tree of the Cross onto roads and streets to sanctify places and ward off illnesses.” That's what it is "pre-origin" Holy Cross. Therefore, the word was added to the name of the holiday "wear and tear".
The holiday was established in the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople, in the 9th century, and in the 12th-13th centuries it became established in all Orthodox churches. In Rus', this holiday appeared with the spread of the Jerusalem Rule at the end of the 14th century.
August 1 in the Russian Orthodox Church is also celebrated Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos in memory of the signs from the precious icons of the Savior, the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Cross during the battles of the Greek Tsar Manuel (1143-1180) with the Saracens and the holy noble prince Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1174) with the Volga Bulgarians in 1164
In 1164 Andrei Bogolyubsky (son of Grand Duke Yuri Vladimirovich and grandson of the glorious Vladimir Monomakh) undertook a campaign against the Volga Bulgarians, who were oppressing the oppressed inhabitants of the Rostov and Suzdal lands (Bulgarians, or Bulgars, were the pagans who lived on the lower reaches of the Volga). The prince took with him on a campaign against the Volga Bulgarians a miraculous icon, which was brought by him from Kyiv and subsequently received the name of Vladimir, and the Honest Cross of Christ. Before the battle, the pious prince, having communed the Holy Mysteries, turned with fervent prayer to the Mother of God, asking for the protection and patronage of the Lady: “Everyone who trusts in Thee, Lady, will not perish, and I, a sinner, have a wall and a cover in You.” Following the prince, generals and warriors fell to their knees before the icon, and, kissing the image, went against the enemy. Taking to the field Russian army put the Bulgarians to flight and, pursuing them, captured five cities, among which was the city of Bryakhimov on the Kama River. When they returned to their camp after the battle, they saw that from the icon of the Mother of God with the Infant Christ emanate bright, like fiery rays, illuminating the entire army. The wondrous spectacle aroused the spirit of courage and hope in the Grand Duke even more, and he again, turning his regiments in pursuit of the Bulgarians, pursued the enemy and burned most of their cities, placing tribute on the survivors.
According to legend, on the same day, thanks to help from above, the Greek emperor Manuel also defeated the Saracens (Muslims). Indisputable evidence of the miraculousness of both these victories was the huge fiery rays coming out of the icons of the Savior, the Mother of God and the Holy Cross that were in the troops. These rays covered the regiments of the faithful rulers of Greece and Russia and were visible to all who fought. In memory of these miraculous victories, with the mutual consent of Prince Andrei and Emperor Manuel and with the blessing of representatives of the highest church authorities, a Feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos.
On this holiday in the temples, the removal of the Cross and the worship of it are supposed. In the Russian Church, simultaneously with the celebration of the All-Merciful Savior, the commemoration of the Baptism of Rus', which took place on August 1, 988 in remembrance of which it is ordained to be done on this day small consecration of water.According to the order now accepted in the Russian Church, a small consecration of water on August 14, according to the new style, is performed before or after the liturgy. According to tradition, along with the consecration of water, the consecration of honey is performed. Therefore, among the people, the holiday was called "Honey Spas".
Finally, the third holiday of the day - memory of the holy Old Testament martyrs of Maccabees who, by the power of faith, overcame the temptation of apostasy and, having endured a short-term torment, were worthy of salvation and eternal blessed life in the Kingdom of God.
The seven holy martyrs of Maccabees: Avim, Antoninus, Guriy, Eleazar, Eusebon, Adim and Markell, as well as their mother Solomonia and teacher Eleazar, suffered in 166 BC. e. from the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus Epiphanes, pursuing a policy of Hellenization of the population, introduced Greek pagan customs in Jerusalem and all of Judea. He defiled the Temple in Jerusalem by placing in it a statue of Olympian Zeus, whom he forced the Jews to worship.
The 90-year-old elder - the teacher of the law Eleazar, who was judged for adherence to the Mosaic law, went to torment with firmness and died in Jerusalem. The same courage was shown by the disciples of Saint Eleazar: the seven Maccabee brothers and their mother Solomonia. They, fearlessly recognizing themselves as followers of the True God, refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
The eldest of the boys, who was the first to answer the king on behalf of all seven brothers, was given over to terrible tortures in front of the other brothers and their mother; the other five brothers, one after the other, suffered the same torments. There was a seventh brother, the youngest. Antiochus proposed to Saint Solomon to persuade him to renounce, so that she would have at least last son, but the courageous mother strengthened him in confession True God. The boy endured the torment just as firmly as his older brothers.
After the death of all the children, Saint Solomonia, standing over their bodies, raised her hands with a thankful prayer to God, and died.
The feat of the holy seven Maccabee brothers inspired the priest Mattathias and his sons, who raised an uprising against Antiochus Epiphanes, which lasted from 166 to 160 BC. and having won the victory, they cleansed the Jerusalem temple of idols.