August 14 - Honey Spas in Russia and Ukraine

Posted on August 14, 2022

Key points

This is an update of my post published on August 14, 2011:

As always, since the wrongful invasion of Ukraine by the Russian government under Vladimir Putin in February of this year (2022), I want to emphasize that talking about Russian people and Russian culture is difficult, right now – I stand emphatically with Ukraine! – but many of the Russian people are innocent of wrong doing and as against the war as most of the rest of the world is. Note that one of the many overlaps between Russian and Ukrainian culture is this holiday!!

Traditionally, “Honey Spas” is the day on which Russian people gather honey and have it blessed in the church, and then (of course) enjoy eating the honey!

Why this day? The story goes that on August 14, swallows fly away for the winter. Vacant swallow nests resemble honeycombs, and so this date also marks the beginning of the honey harvest.

It seems to me quite early to be talking about the end of summer, the beginning of fall, and the harvest season. Here in Southern California, it will probably be warm-to-hot until mid-October. Or later! However, much of Russia is at relatively high latitudes and far inland, away from the ocean’s temperature-moderating effect.

At any rate, I love a good excuse to eat honey! Here is a recipe website.