Celebrate St. Basil Day Every January 1

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After you’ve rung in the new year, it’s time to relax and recover from the parties …

Or it’s time to celebrate some more!

Because January 1 isn’t just New Year’s Day. It’s also St. Basil’s feast day … the day to celebrate Basil of Caesarea or Saint Basil the Great, one of Christianity’s greatest saints.

In theory the date commemorates the day he died. But not all sources agree that his death was on January 1. And some churches celebrate his feast day on other dates.

St. Basil was a great theologian and preacher, and one of the forefathers of today’s Greek Orthodox Church.

He was also known for caring for the poor and underprivileged, bringing gifts to the poor children. And that is how, in Greek tradition, he is celebrated on St. Basil Day.

By exchanging gifts.

For much of history, January 1, not Christmas, was the day for gift giving in Greece. Today Christmas has gotten a bigger role in many households. And St. Basil has morphed into something of a Santa Claus (but not the same one who visits on Christmas—that’s St. Nicholas).

St. Basil’s feast day is still an important holiday in Greece. Whether it’s still bigger than Christmas probably depends on how traditional the household is.

The festivities actually start on New Year’s Eve, with caroler’s spreading good wishes and announcing the imminent arrival of St. Basil from Cesaeria. It’s also traditional to set a place at the dinner table for St. Basil on New Year’s Eve, as he is believed to choose someone with a pure heart to spend the evening with.

On January 1, families set a feast table. The size of this feast is important. The bigger the feast, the more luck the family will have in the coming year.

Foods served at the feast can vary, especially by region, but Vasilopita (St Basil’s Cake or Bread) is a must-have. These cakes are round and are decorated with the year. A silver coin is hidden in the cake, and the person who gets the coin will have especially good luck.

Before cutting the cake, the family blesses it. Then it’s customary to cut the first piece for Christ, the second for the Virgin Mary and the third for St. Basil. Only then do you cut for the people at the table. Often the first three pieces cut are donated to the Church, which gives them to the needy.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial holiday

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Celebrating St. Basil Day

Keep the holiday spirit going by eating, drinking and being merry!

If you don’t already celebrate this day, you’re probably not going to want to go with a full, traditional celebration. But you can still have a feast and bring well wishes to family and friends.

For your New Year’s Eve, sing some carols (yes, it’s cheesy, but can also be fun!). Set an extra place at the table for St. Basil.

On January 1, have a feast and the traditional vasilopita. These cakes can be bought or you can find recipes to make your own. Try one of these or do your own search:

• The Greek Lucky New Year’s Cake – A lighter Version
• Vasilopita
• Vasilopita: Lucky Greek New Year Bread

Since St. Basil also cared for the poor, another idea for celebrating is to spend time helping those less fortunate. Although donations and volunteering is common in the days leading up to Christmas, these activities tend to fall off afterwards. But the same people who needed help in December will still need it in January.

 

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