NEW YEAR'S TRADITIONS IN GREECE

                                     NEW YEAR’S TRADITIONS IN GREECE

The most important of all New Year’s Traditions in Greece is Saint Basil, Agios Vassilios, the Greek Santa Clause.  St Basil arrives a week after Christmas and brings presents for children and adults on New Year’s Eve.

 

Saint Basil the Great was born in Kessaria in 350 AD and was one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church. There are many similarities with Santa Clause.  They were both famous for their kind-heartedness, their compassion, and they helped the unfortunate and homeless.  Agios Vassilis donated his wealth to people in need.

 

In Greece, we celebrate the New Year’s festivities and we are passionate about our culture and traditions for Protochronia.

 

January 1^st is not only New Year’s Day in Greece but it is also Saint Basil’s Day and the name day, throughout the nation, of those who have the name Vassilis or Vassiliki

 

Some of the most famous and popular New Year’s traditions in Greece are:

Firework shows.  These shows, full of glitter and magic, light the night skies all across the country in all cities and villages of our country, on the 1^st of January.

 

                                                   by Nikiophoros Lytras 

Carollers bring good luck to our homes.

 

We bake Vasilopita, a wonderful cake with a coin inserted in the center.  Whoever finds the coin will have good luck for the coming year (2022!)  

Our very best wishes for 2022!  Warmest wishes to my precious Daughters-in-law, Sons, Grandchildren, and Great granddaughters!!  May they always be healthy, loved, happy, successful, and blessed.           

 

 

We, also, crash a pomegranate on our doorsteps for extra good luck!