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The Vasilopita (Basilopita)
Observance
Offered by our Saint Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos
Society
In 1944 the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox
Church of North and South America and later
Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras
designated the Ladies Philoptochos Society Chapters of our Archdiocese to raise
funds for
St. Basil's
Academy in Garrison, N.Y. which housed at that time,
as it does now, orphans, unwanted children and children from broken homes.
One of the fund-raising events instituted at that time is the observance of
the Vasilopita
(Basilopita). The word Vasilopita
(Basilopita)
is a compound Greek word that
means the sweet bread of
Saint Basil. The annual observance of the Vasilopita (Basilopita)
originated from the January 1st Feast Day of
Saint Basil (Agios
Basilios)
in respect for his many theological contributions to the Church and to
mankind. In the Fourth Century he built a complex of buildings
which included, a hospital, an orphanage and home for the poor.
Through the charitable works of
Saint Basil
(Agios
Basilios), relief and care was given to the needy.
The Custom of hiding coin and of pieces designated for
Saint Basil (Agios
Basilios),
for the house and for the poor go back to
Saint Basil's
generosity.
The most important customary food for New
Year's Eve and New Year's Day - maybe even for the entire holiday season -
is the
Vasilopita (Basilopita),
or
"Basil's Bread," presented in honor of
Saint Basil (Agios
Basilios). According to tradition, sweet bread is prepared in the Greek Orthodox homes
and in the Church community. The sweetness of the bread symbolizes the
hope that the New Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, liberty,
health and happiness for all that participate in the Vasilopita (Basilopita)
Observance. In some regions, this is a cake; in others, a sweet
bread. This special bread is round and surrounded with nuts, dried
fruits, and sweets. When the Vasilopita (Basilopita)
is prepared, a coin is usually placed in the dough
before it is baked. When bread is cut and distributed, the individual
who receives that portion of the Vasilopita (Basilopita), which contains the coin, is
considered to be fortunate. The Vasilopita (Basilopita)
is a joyous occasion and it
is a custom and tradition, which should be annually observed in the Greek
Orthodox Parishes and in the homes of Greek Orthodox Christians. By
doing this we commemorate the good and charitable works of
Saint Basil (Agios
Basilios).
The most meaningful moment of New Year's
Day and
Saint Basil's Day comes when the head of the household
ceremoniously cuts the Vasilopita (Basilopita).
This may occur at the stroke of midnight or on New Year's Eve, in the
morning of New Year's Day or at the start of the dinner on New Year's Day.
In many families, the ceremony begins with
the singing of a new year's kalanda, or "kalanda protochronias"
(kalanda protochronias):
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It's
the start of the month
and the start of the year,
Oh, my tall rosemary tree,
and the start of a happy new year,
Oh, my church of the holy throne.
Saint
Basil is coming,
as you noblemen know,
from Caesarea.
You, my lady, are a noblewoman |
The family
ceremony also may open with this traditional poem recited by a child:
I
take the knife and put it
in my father's hand,
So he can cut the Vasilopita
and give one slice to me. |
Then, the head of the household takes the knife and makes the sign of the
cross over the bread, saying, "In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, Amen."
The bread is cut, and the pieces are handed
out carefully in a special order. The first piece is for Christ, and
will be placed on the family's ikonistasi (ikonistasi),
or family altar. There will be pieces for the Virgin Mary, for
Saint Basil (Agios
Basilios), and a piece for the needy. Then, pieces will be cut for
members of the family, again in order. First, the head of the
household, then each member in order, including those who are absent, plus
a piece for the house and one for the farm. On the islands, there
may be a piece cut for the family's boat.
The number of pieces cut, and the exact
order, varies from house to house, but always begins with Christ and
Saint Basil (Agios
Basilios), and there will always be a piece for the less fortunate. If
the Vasilopita (Basilopita)
is cut at midnight, the piece for
Saint Basil (Agios
Basilios)
will be left out for him to
find on his visit that night.
Handing out the pieces, the head of the
household wishes each person in turn "Chronia polla" (Cronia
polla) or
"Kali chronia" (Kali
cronia).
One person will have a wonderful start to the year, for one piece will
contain the hidden coin. Finding the coin in your piece brings luck
for the entire year to come.
Excerpts from:
"Christmas in Greece"
World Book Inc.
Chicago
2001
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