Why you shouldn't eat apples before Apple Savior

There is a church tradition not to eat apples before the Apple Savior or the Transfiguration of the Lord. This abstinence is enshrined in the Typicon, the church charter. This rule is prescribed for monks, and no punishment is prescribed for violating it. Only the prohibition on eating fruit during August.

What is the meaning of tradition?

Refraining from eating apples until Apple Savior Day is not considered a fast. First, the harvest is taken to church for blessing, adhering to the principle: "First to God, then to us." This is a unique reminder of who truly is the Creator of the Universe.

After Apple Savior Day in Rus', people generously shared their harvest with each other. They treated the poor, orphans, and the sick. The holiday is still revered and widely celebrated in villages.

Superstitions associated with the holiday

There is a belief that if you eat apples before Apple Savior, then there will be no harvest next year.

These are superstitions that the Orthodox Church recommends ignoring.

This day is correctly called the Transfiguration of the Lord, since its meaning lies not in apples, but in a great event.

Transfiguration

A great Orthodox holiday celebrated by believers on August 19. On this day, the Gospel event occurred when the apostles John, Peter, and James saw the Lord Jesus Christ transfigured—in eternal divine glory.

In Rus' it was called "Apple SaviorIn Israel and Greece, the Transfiguration took place during the grape-ripening season. To honor the memory, believers brought fragrant bunches of grapes to churches. Since grapes didn't grow in Rus' at that time, Christians offered apples and had them blessed.

There is a prayer “For the blessing of the first fruits (vegetables).”

Other beliefs

Another belief existed: that before Apple Savior, fruit should not be eaten, especially by women who had lost their children. It was believed that if a mother ate an apple, God would not give the tasty fruit to her child in Paradise. Not wanting to inadvertently harm their children, women fasted rigorously.

However, it wasn't just unfortunate mothers who observed the ban, but all members of the fairer sex. This was because Eve, tempted by the bright and juicy fruit, violated God's command. Russian peasant women, so as not to take the sin upon their souls, also abstained from apples before the holiday, as they were considered a fruit unlawful to eat.

Some explain the ban by the fact that the priests were concerned about health farmers, not allowing them to pick and eat fruits that are not fully ripe by August, as this is very harmful to the gastrointestinal tract.

To avoid tempting ourselves and our families, we tried to plant those varieties of fruit trees that fully ripen in August.

Nowadays, you can find a veritable abundance of all kinds of fruits on store shelves. However, true believers continue to honor tradition and restrain themselves in their consumption.