Honey Spas: Traditions, Truths, and Practical Guidance

On the church calendar, the popular name sometimes appears as a curiosity rather than a formal title. In truth, August 14 marks the Exhibition of the Honest Trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, a feast observed by Orthodox Christians. Its roots trace back to Byzantium in the 9th century, when a portion of the Cross believed to bear Jesus Christ was withdrawn from the imperial treasury and used to bless the streets of Constantinople. This relic was later accessible for public veneration in Hagia Sophia, reinforcing the day’s significance in healing and protection from illness.

In Russia, the commemoration entered the church calendar in the 14th century. The day is also associated with the feasts of the Merciful Savior and the Holy Mother of God, linked to Andrei Bogolyubsky’s campaigns against the Volga Bulgars in 1164. It is believed that the prince carried icons of the Mother of God and the Holy Cross into battle, a tradition that contributed to Vladimir’s Christian legacy.

Additionally, the day honors the seven Maccabees: the brothers Matthias, Judas, Eleazar, Eusebius, Philip, Hermon, and Maccabeus, along with their mother Solomonia and the teacher Eleazar. In 166 BC, Antiochus IV Epiphanes persecuted them as part of a broader Hellenization effort in Jerusalem, prompting a memory that endures in this liturgical date.

Why are the first Hot Springs called Honey?

The holiday name unfolds in two parts. Some traditions say the second element, Spas, derives from the word for stock or reserve, reflecting a time when preparations for winter—honey, apples, and hazelnuts—were common seasonal treats in Russia. Others interpret Savior as a shortened form of Saviour, a reference to Jesus Christ.

Thus the term Honey Spas First honors the moment when honey becomes ready in the hives, signaling beekeepers to begin harvesting. A few other names exist, such as Wet Spas or Water Rescue, reflecting rites of cleansing water and blessings for natural reservoirs and wells to ward off disease and the evil eye. The day also marks the closing of the summer swimming season.

Macovey or Poppy Hot Springs are additional names that memorialize the martyrs venerated on this day and the plant that ripens during the same period.

What traditions are associated with Honey Spas?

Special church rites take place during Honey Spas, with clergy often wearing purple vestments. Such vestments are uncommon outside this season, save for the Exaltation of the Cross and the Sunday of the Great Lent before Easter. During the banquet, choirs sing hymns reflecting on the meaning of the Crucifixion. The cross is removed from the altar so the faithful can honor it directly, a practice echoed in Holy Week. The Divine Liturgy concludes with the Consecration of Water, and honey from the new harvest is typically blessed before or after services in many temples.

On Honey Spas, believers are encouraged to detach from worldly concerns and focus on communion with God. In addition to harvesting honey, many families plant winter crops during these days. Since the feast coincides with the start of the Assumption Lent, noisy celebrations are discouraged. Meals typically avoid meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and alcohol. Tradition often begins the meal with a spoon of honey and a wish before tasting it.

How to choose natural honey

According to Ivan Pigarev, general director of the Russian Association of Natural Beekeeping, distinguishing truly natural honey from a counterfeit without laboratory testing is unlikely. The best indicators come from certified beekeepers or farms operating under organic standards, though even these signals cannot guarantee purity. The practical advice is to seek a reliable beekeeper and avoid overreliance on folklore methods for testing quality.

Beekeeper Denis Nazarov echoes this cautious approach. He notes that iodine tests only reveal starch presence, not overall purity. While a test can help, it does not guarantee authenticity in today’s market, where counterfeit honey is common and often involves harmless additives or excessive heating that robs honey of its natural properties.

When evaluating honey, Nazarov urges avoiding low-cost products and choosing genuine, well-made varieties. He advocates looking for dried honey products or those that resist crystallization well, such as buckwheat varieties, which may crystallize quickly or remain liquid depending on processing. The emphasis is on selecting products that show true natural characteristics rather than clever packaging.

At the same time, Pigarev notes that most counterfeit honey is not dangerous, though it should be scrutinized. Unusual colors such as green or red honey sold in unusual containers are often signs that the product is not authentic. The key is to be wary of misleading marketing and to prefer transparent sellers who provide verifiable information about sourcing and processing.

How does honey affect health?

Dietitian and endocrinologist Albina Komissarova cautions against labeling honey as a healthy sugar substitute. Honey is a source of simple carbohydrates, containing glucose and fructose in roughly equal parts. While it carries trace nutrients, it is still a form of added sugar. The daily recommended limit for added sugars remains about 25 grams, or roughly five metric teaspoons. Honey should be enjoyed as a flavorful alternative to sugar, not as a blanket health booster.

She also dispels the notion that some honey varieties are universally more nutritious than others. The best approach is to choose varieties that suit one’s taste and enjoy them in moderation, without assuming a superior nutritional profile over other sweeteners.