On this day they sanctify pears, apples, honey, obzhinka wreaths or bunches of ears of wheat or rye in churches.

Long ago orthodox Christians didn’t eat anything from their gardens before that day. It was considered to be a sin. On coming back from the church families used to sit down at their tables and to break their fast. They ate apples with honey and drank grapes or apple wine – for “gardens to bring fruits”.

Before this holiday they have two weeks of fast – “spasovka”. There is a legend that spasovka is a continuation of Lent. God has allocated nine weeks for Lent, but saint fathers began to ask God to reduce it because it is very difficult for people to tolerate such a long fast. Then God divided the Lent into two parts: seven weeks in spring before Easter and seven weeks at the end of summer, before Spas. That is why according to folk traditions one should fast during spasovka, the same as during Lent.