Honey Savior Day, also known as Makoviya, is the first of the three August Savior feasts in Ukraine. Since the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the Revised Julian calendar in 2023, it is celebrated on August 1 (Old Style communities mark it on August 14). On this day people bless honey, poppy seeds, water and special bouquets called makoviichyky. Here you will find short Honey Savior Day wishes, messages for family, heartfelt texts and poems.

Five days later comes Apple Savior Day, so see our Apple Savior Day wishes. Blessing herbs is also a tradition on Trinity.

Makoviya traditions

Blessing the new season’s honey — hence the name Honey Savior.
Blessing poppies and makoviichyk bouquets, which are then kept at home.
Blessing water — wells used to be consecrated on this day.
Festive dishes with poppy seeds and honey: poppy-seed rolls, varenyky, pies and honey cakes.

Folk symbolism of the plants in a makoviichyk bouquet

Short Honey Savior Day wishes

Happy Honey Savior Day! May your life be as sweet as honey and your home as full as a poppy head.
Happy Makoviya! Peace, prosperity and God’s blessing to your family.
Happy Honey Savior Day! May the blessed poppies protect your home.
Happy Makoviya! Sweet days and a generous harvest.
Happy first Savior feast! Health, warmth and good news.

Heartfelt Honey Savior Day wishes

Happy Honey Savior Day! May this day bring peace and warmth, and may the blessed honey give you strength and health. I wish your home abundance and peace.
Happy Makoviya! May every poppy in the blessed bouquet bring happiness into your home and every spoonful of honey bring joy. Peace and kindness to you and your loved ones.
Happy holiday! May your life be as generous as the August harvest and as sweet as fresh honey. May God protect you and your family.

For family and friends

Mom, happy Honey Savior Day! I remember your poppy-seed rolls and the taste of honey from grandma’s apiary. Thank you for the warmth of home. Health and joy to you.
Grandma, happy Makoviya! May the blessed poppies and honey give you strength and may your grandchildren visit more often.
Friends, happy Honey Savior Day! May every day be sweet and our get-togethers frequent.

Wishes with a blessing

Happy Honey Savior Day! May the Lord bless your home and give you peace of heart and joy in your family.
Happy Makoviya! May the blessed water, honey and poppies bring you health, and may God’s grace be with you every day.

Honey Savior Day poems

Happy Honey Savior Day to you!
May honey sweeten all you do,
May blessed poppies bring your way
Good fortune, peace and joy each day!

May honey, poppy, water blessed
Keep you safe and give you rest,
May every home be full of cheer
And sweetness last throughout the year!

Flowers for the holiday

People make makoviichyk bouquets themselves from poppies, mint, marigolds, cornflowers and wheat ears. For relatives you cannot visit on the holiday, you can send a bouquet in warm honey or soft lavender tones. Another autumn holiday is Pokrova.

Yellow spray roses in a box — a “honey” gift for family

More ideas in our flowers for mom and flowers in a box collections.

Lavender bouquet of hydrangea and roses — Lavender bouquet of hydrangeas and roses — a tender gift for grandma

FAQ

When is Honey Savior Day?

August 1, according to the Revised Julian calendar adopted in 2023 by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Old Style communities celebrate on August 14.

What is blessed on Makoviya?

Honey, poppies, water and makoviichyk bouquets made of poppies, mint, marigolds, cornflowers and other plants.

What is a makoviichyk?

A festive bouquet of poppy heads and fragrant herbs that is blessed in church and kept at home as a protective charm.

The Second Feast of the Most Pure — Nativity of the Theotokos wishes.

The August cycle of feasts ends with the Dormition.

The third August Saviour: Nut Saviour Day wishes (16 August).

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

Honey Savior Day Wishes