The Vasilopita Cake – Saint Basil sweet pie
Saint Vasilis (Saint Basil) the Αrchbishop of Caesaria
According to historical facts, when Saint Basil was the Archbishop of Caesaria in Asia Minor, the perfect of the region wanted to conquer and plunder Caesaria. Saint Basil tried to convince the perfect not to attack and besiege his province. Ηe prayed that God would save the city. However, the general was very harsh and demanded the city’s gold as well as everything else of value in the city. He threatened Saint Basil that he would exile him and kill him and started sourrounding Caesaria with his army.
Caesaria was not raided by the invaders
Saint Basil ordered all the gold coins and jewelry of the rich people to be collected so as to avoid the complete looting. The Christians of Caesaria loved their Despot very much. Therefore, they collected whatever gold they had from their houses and offered it to him. Saint Basil took all the money and the precious items and presented them to the general in a chest. The moment that the general went to open the chest and grab the treasures, the miracle happened! All people saw a flash and a horseman rushing with his army upon the cruel general and his men. Suddenly, the evil general and his men were wiped out. Saint Mercury was the brilliant rider and his soldiers were the angels. Finally, the city of Caesaria was saved.
Saint Vasil’s final decision
After this event, Saint Vasil ordered the inhabitants to leaven bread. He put a coin or a piece of gold in each bread. Afterwards, he distributed all the breads to the inhabitants of Caesaria. People who ate the bread found something precious inside it. The custom of Vasilopita has its root to this fact.
Vasilopita in modern times
All Greeks make a Vasilopita the New Year’s Eve. Vasilopita tastes as a cake with sugar powder on the top. The Greeks place a coin, a flouri (φλουρί) inside the Vasilopita cake and then bake it. Right after the beginning of the New Year, the Greeks cut the Vasilopita. The one who will find the coin be lucky for the whole new year.
Happy New Year’s Day to all!
Don’t forget to make a Vasilopita cake for 2025!
Λεξιλόγιο – Vocabulary
1/ αρχιεπίσκοπος = Archbishop
2/ κοσμήματα = jewelry
3/ το νόμισμα = coin
4/ πολιορκώ = to conquer
5/ μαζεύω – συλλέγω = to collect
