Makovey-2025: what is this holiday and how do Ukrainians celebrate it?

On August 1, Orthodox Ukrainians celebrate an important Christian holiday — the Honey Savior, or in other words, Makovei.

On this day, people go to churches, where a festive liturgy is held. The main elements are honey, poppy seeds, and water, which are blessed in churches.

Also, according to tradition, on Honey Savior, girls would make bouquets of bright flowers in the morning, add medicinal plants, and most importantly, insert poppy heads.

The collected bouquets were called “makovijchiky”. They were tied with a red ribbon and were necessarily consecrated in the church. After the consecration, the “makovijchiky” were left in the house, often next to the icons. There they dried and lay until the next year as amulets.

In addition, since ancient times, various ceremonial dishes with poppy seeds and honey have been prepared on Makovey: poppy seed cakes, poppy seed pies, cakes filled with water with ground poppy seeds and honey, poppy seed dumplings, and other products.

However, there are also prohibitions that Ukrainians tried not to violate. In particular, as with any church holiday, it was not recommended to engage in physical labor, swear and curse, organize loud celebrations, or clean the house.

At the same time, the Assumption Fast began with Makovey, which lasts 15 days, and therefore a number of foods were forbidden to be consumed.

Honey Savior is the first of the three Saviors – after it are celebrated Apple and Walnut. The holiday of Macovei symbolizes purification and gratitude for the first gifts of summer. It is also a day of spiritual purification, which is recommended to be spent in the family circle.

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