Making a Vasilopita for the New Year

 

It has always been an honor to be named after St. Basil.  Known for his generosity and care for the poor, St. Basil was also a brilliant theologian.  St. Basil the Great lived during the Fourth Century and was one of the most favored and respected bishop saints in the Orthodox Church, so much so that he is remembered with two feast days:

January 1^st on his name day (the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord)

http://www.orthodox.cn/saints/circumcision_en.htm

 

 

January 30^th along with St. Gregory and St. John Chrysostom, on the feast of the Three Hierarchs.



 

 

Tradition tells us that St. Basil would hide coins in breads and cakes to give to the poor.  This is why we make a cake or bread with a hidden coin on New Year's Day.

Need a recipe for a Vasilopita cake?  I have a recipe for one on the Orthodox Christian Network.  http://myocn.net/vasilopita/