28.12.2015
Практически во всем мире, кроме России, в роли доброго старика,giving gifts for the New Year, i.e. Santa Claus, favored saint Nikolai. But in Greece it is St. Basil the Great (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας), or more precisely, Saint Basil Caesarean.
Memorial Day of St. Basil – January 1, as it was on this Day in the year 379, at the age of 49 his life was interrupted.
Of course, this is not just. Well, first of all, St. Basil – January 1, since it was on this day in the year 379, age 49 interrupted his life. Throughout his life St. Basil was the patron saint of the poor and needy — he gave them everything almshouses, hospice houses, hospitals.
If the coin falls into pieces of cake dedicated to Christ, Mary or St. Basil, the money given to the church. If the coin is in a piece for a poor man, money is given to some beggar.
And secondly, precisely because of this saint, Greece appeared One New Year’s tradition, which is respected to this day – bake New Year’s bread – Βασιλόπιτα – with a coin inside.
Emperor Julian the Apostate (361 – 363), ruling in that era, attempted under the threat of seizing Caesarea and enslaving her residents get rich gifts. To this end, Julian sent armed detachment to the bishop of the city – Basil the Great. Townspeople, who loved their city and their bishop, collected all they had jewelry and decided to entrust them to the Prelate, so that they wisely ordered. When the emperor’s warriors came for ransom, the Holy Basil showed them a treasure chest. But only the commander approached to pick him up, as a cloud arose, from which emerged the Holy Mercury, accompanied by angels and he expelled the warrior of the emperor, who was frantic with fear.
Seeing a miracle, Basil the Great and the inhabitants of Caesarea fell down and Thank the Lord for help. By order of the bishop prepared small loaves of bread baked in them and distributed Christians. The remaining treasures were donated to charities. goals
Today it is customary to cut the cake either on December 31, immediately after when the clock beat off 12, or January 1 afternoon, after the holiday lunch time. Before cutting the cake, it is crossed three times with a knife. The first piece is dedicated to Jesus Christ, the second to the Virgin Mary, the third – St. Basil, the fourth – refers to the house, and the remaining pieces are divided between family members, from older to younger. Usually leave another piece – the poor. In the villages it is customary to leave 2 additional pieces for animals and for a good harvest. The one who gets a piece with a coin (φλουρί) will be happy and lucky all year. Together with such a piece, usually, lucky give any gift or money. If the coin comes in pieces pie, dedicated to Christ, Mary or St. Basil, the money given to the church. If a coin is in a piece for a poor man, then money given to some beggar.
based on the materials of the Greek Cultural Center St. Petersburg
