New Year's Day and St. Vasileios Day January 1

🎆 New Year's day in Greece is part of the Christmas celebration that lasts for 14 days, ending on Epiphany day. It is a time for families and friends to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

Vasilopita is a traditional New Year's Day cake that contains a coin and the person who finds the coin in their slice of cake is said to have good luck for the rest of the year. Greeks also smash of pomegranates as a symbol of fertility and abundance.

Imagine watching a grand display of fireworks high over the Parthenon, while playing cards, drinking ouzo, and eating a delicious feast of Greek foods!

Be the first person to enter a home on New Year's Day and remember to start with your right foot which is the "good foot."

St. Basil

January 1 is also the feast day for Saint Vasilios the Great (St. Basil) who is one of Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Saints Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. In 362 A.D. Saint Basil was ordained as a deacon and eventually became the Bishop of Caesarea. He devote his life to the poor and suffering and is remembered for his charity.