August, 14
The beginning of the Uspensky post is opened by the Honey or Poppy Spas. On this day the peasants begin to collect honey. A sweet delicacy is first consecrated in the church. You could not eat meat and fish on the honey one. Traditional dishes: pancakes with honey, poppy cakes and mead.
In the Poppy Spas, women and girls are forgiven of all mistakes, if they so ask with a pure heart. Often in villages people pour consecrated honey into a large vessel, and everyone can dip white bread into it, congratulating each other.
On this day, charitable assistance to poor and starving people is especially welcome. They are given gifts and treated with baked goods and honey. It is customary to help widows and orphans in the household: clean up the house, fix houses, donate utensils and clothes.
From this day begins the harvesting of the first harvest.
