It is associated with saint basil s day january 1 in most of greece but in some. Eating vasilopita is a greek christian tradition that celebrates st. The tradition one of the more beautiful and inspirational traditions of the greek orthodox church is the annual family celebration of the vasilopita. It s traditionally sliced into at midnight at the new year and served to each member of the family in order of age starting with the eldest. This original event which happened in cappadocia of caesarea in the last half of the fourth century is very much alive in our orthodox homes each year.
New year s eve is approaching and apart from the food and drink the vasilopita is the center of attention. It is a sweet bread like cake that is only made for new year s and is only eaten on new year s day. Basil s day or new year s day but similar traditions are present throughout eastern europe. The tradition of baking and cutting a special pita which can mean a loaf of bread a cake or even a pie each year on january 1st is observed in honor of our holy father basil the great archbishop of caesarea in cappodocia hence its name vasilopita meaning st. Vasilopita pronounced vah see lo pee tah is the greek lucky new year s cake that has a coin hidden in it and is cut at midnight.
βασιλόπιτα vasilópita lit st basil pie or princess pie see below is a new year s day bread or cake in greece and many other areas in eastern europe and the balkans which contains a hidden coin or trinket which gives good luck to the receiver like the western european. Recipes for this cake differ depending on the family or the region of greece but in general it involves flour eggs butter and sugar and is usually finished with a sprinkle of confectioners sugar. The vasilopita tradition one of the most beautiful and inspiring traditions and customs of the greek orthodox church is the observance of vasilopita. βασιλόπιτα vasilópita lit st basil pie or princess pie see below is a new year s day bread or cake in greece and many other areas in eastern europe and the balkans which contains a hidden coin or trinket which gives good luck to the receiver like the western european. New year s eve is approaching and apart from the food and drink the vasilopita is the center of attention.
The vasilopita tradition one of the most beautiful and inspiring traditions and customs of the greek orthodox church is the observance of vasilopita. It is associated with saint basil s day january 1 in most of greece but in some.