Young in Europe - eTwinning project
Santa Claus in Greece
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Students of Greece
| 2023-12-07
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In Greece Santa Claus is associated with Saint Basil and not Saint Nicholas. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great , was a bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor. He is celebrated on the 1st of January and he brings presents to children.
Vasilopita (Basil’s pie) is a New Year's Day bread, cake or pie 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. It is associated with Saint Basil's day, January 1, in most of Greece, but in some regions, the traditions surrounding a cake or pita with a hidden coin are attached to Epiphany or to Christmas.
On New Year's Day families cut the vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year. This is usually done at the midnight of New Year's Eve. A coin is hidden in the bread by slipping it into the dough before baking. At midnight the sign of the cross is etched with a knife across the cake. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time, by order of age from eldest to youngest. Slices are also cut for various symbolic people or groups, depending on local and family tradition
