By Thekla Andreou:
August: A wonderful month, which gives a lot of rest to most people! We are also in a transitional stage dancing together all the people, the weather and nature!
Names:
The month of August took its name from Octavian Gaius Caesar, following a decision by the Roman Senate to give this name to the month already called Sextilis (sixth). They wanted to honor him for three reasons: a) because Octavian "increased" the territories of the Roman Empire in the West and East! b) because in the sixth month he received the honor of "High". c) because he conquered Egypt. That is why "August" later meant respected, majestic, uncle or saint! It is also speculated that Octavian Augustus wanted to honor Cleopatra who died in Egypt or that he envied Julius Caesar who had his own month! In fact, he took 1 day from February to have his own month 31 days!
Also, the word is a derivative of the Latin Augeo, which means Increase = increase. It is the month when the fruits grow and ripen.
It is the eighth month in the Julian and in our Gregorian Calendar!
In Ancient Greece it was called Metagitnion, it was the second month and lasted from August 16 to September 14 (today's dates). At that time, "Metagitnia" was celebrated, that is, the feast of the neighbors!
In the Byzantine Calendar it is the last month of the year and so August 31st was celebrated as New Year's Eve and was called the New Year!
The people gave it several names: it is called Trapezoforos because the table is full of goods, watermelons, melons, grapes, figs, vegetables, fish, etc. Pentefas because we eat 5 meals, Harvester because of the harvest, Sycologist from the fig harvest, Drimaris from the Dark Days.
It is a contradictory month in terms of weather: it starts to cool down a bit and people say "From August winter and from March summer", ie August is the beginning of winter and March is the beginning of summer. Also, "August has come, take your cape", "August has trespassed and the end of winter, the poor cease at sunset and the lord sleeps" and "August is the murmur, winter mourns", "May with a shirt, in August with a cape "," God forbid the olive trees, from the waters of August "and" On August the water, diseases in the olive fruit "! On the other hand, the weather is very hot some days and it is called "May what blooms and August what leaves" as well as "Zero from August winter, zero from March summer".
Date:
The first 12 days of the month are called "dates", where each day corresponds to each month and then the weather is forecast for next year! This is common even today in our areas and especially by the people of the countryside! I remember my grandfather who saw and looked at the sky, said "his" but unfortunately I did not understand! It is said: "The Thursday of August is cloudy and May is rainy" and "August is rainy, must is immediate".
The Full Moon this month is very bright and with bright light. "August moon shines like a day" and "August and January are the two golden moons"! "Good May Day, August Moon."
Sirius, who is born, also appears. The days of August coincide with the eu epitaph of Sirius, the brightest star before sunrise: "Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation of Cyrus the Great and its eu epitaph in this time period is associated with cynical burns (Latin Dies caniculariae), ie the hottest days of the year. The ancients believed that the radiation of Sirius is added to the radiation of the Sun, that is why there is so much heat!
August Day Name:
August 6 - The Transfiguration of the Savior:
The feast that our Savior honors and glorifies! Besides, our village bears the name of Christ the Savior or ΄΄ Chrysosotiras ΄΄ since its foundation in the Byzantine years!
In Sotira there are 2 temples dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior Christ! The first church "Chrysosotiros" was built in the 13th century. Archaeological excavations brought to light hidden walls with hagiographies and many liturgical objects which are exhibited in the Ecclesiastical Museum of the Savior (in the church of Agios Georgios). The second church was built at the beginning of the 20th century and until today is a reference point for the villagers as the Divine Liturgies and several events in its courtyard are held normally.
It becomes a great festival and many people come to honor and worship at His grace, in the temple of the Savior Christ! From ancient times, in fact, the festival was held in His honor and according to the customs of the place at that time it was done with violins and folk music! The Transfiguration of the Savior is celebrated on August 6, because it is the day when St. Helen inaugurated the church of the same name, which she founded, on Mount Tabor. It is one of the twelve Despotic feasts of our Orthodoxy! That is why fish is allowed on this day, even though it is a strict fast.
According to our Evangelists, Christ took His three disciples Peter, James and John and after ascending them to the high Mount Tabor, He was transfigured before them! Christ's face shone and shone like the sun and his clothes were white as light. The Lord was conversing with the Prophet Moses and the Prophet Elijah! Then the students heard a voice through the cloud that covered them: “This is my beloved son, whom I sent to save the world. Listen to him! ” (Matthew, Iz, 1-13, Mark, I, 2-13, Luke, I, 28-36)
This was done to make it clear that He was the Lord and for the disciples and the whole world to know the difference between Christ and the Prophets. That Christ is Despot and the Prophets are servants of the Lord! Christ has the power of death and life, that is why he brought the Prophet Moses from the dead and the Prophet Elijah from the living.
August 15 - The Assumption of the Virgin: It is the Easter of summer! It is a big holiday and it is celebrated everywhere! The Virgin Mary is adored and glorified by all with honors and festivals throughout Cyprus and Greece. In Cephalonia from the 6th to the 15th of August the "snakes of the Virgin" appear with the white cross on their head, where they go up to the icons among the world. The Panagia of Tinos and the Panagia of Kykkos in Cyprus gather a lot of people!
August 23 - nine days of the Virgin.
August 27 - Agios Fanourios and the fanouropites are baked from 9 ingredients, either on this day or 3 consecutive Saturdays, in his honor or as vows to reveal lost people, animals or things.
August 29 - Anniversary of the beheading of St. John the Baptist: He is the protector of malaria, infections and fevers. Fasting day and in areas of Greece they do not consume black grapes or red wine because they resemble blood. In Cyprus we avoid using the knife and cutting the "head" from onions, fruits or vegetables because they resemble beheading.
August 31 - deposition of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary.
Kakaousties-kakaougousties or Drimes:
They are the first 6 or 15 days of the month (depending on the region) and people believe that there is negative energy that causes harm and accidents. In folklore the month is also called Drimaris. Drimas are demonic beings that cause destruction. That's why people were careful and did not do very heavy work. He did not wash clothes because they melted, they did not cut wood because they rotted, the vines and figs dried up and those who swam were in danger of drowning or getting rashes. But if you threw a nail into the sea, then you could nail the Drimas (metaphysical beings) and defeat them and make them disappear! Also, in the same way that the Kalikantzaros leave (since we can make the parallel), the Drimes are exorcised with holy water from the function of the Transfiguration of the Savior. March also has harsh days, hence "The harsh days of August on the sails and March on the woods".
There are many proverbs, since it is probably the month that has the most. It bears many fruits and nourishes the world all year round:
"I wish everyone had the months like August"
"August Trapezoid to be, three shots a year"
"August my dear month, to be twice a year"
"August is fifteen, set on fire and do not be ashamed"
"Live my May to eat clover and in August grapes"
"Everything in its time and the belly in August"
"In August he is happy that he has to harvest"
"Be well in August when the flies are thick"
"August sells wine and May sells wheat"
"August hostess and carol": The wasteful housewife of August, begs in the carols!
"August and the vintage are not every day"
"Good morning in August and birth in January"
"Agia Marina's nipple and Ai Lios grape and Panagia's in August full the coffin"
"If the harvester might rain, rejoice the cheesemaker"
Happy holidays and good continuation!
Bibliography:
Sotira Famagusta the Byzantine Town - History and Art, Economist George Ioannou, Christodoulos X ”Christodoulou
Sources: www.tampouloukia.gr
www.wikipedia.gr