Skip to content

Unexplainable.net

Watching The World Change

  • Bacteria NDM-1 Could Bring Collapse to Antibiotics Simply Unexplainable
  • Intelligence Preception Information and Theories
  • Student’s Family Likens Big Brother School ID Cards with Tracking Microchips to Satan Information and Theories
  • Unscheduled Unidentified Craft Shuts Down Airport UFOs and Aliens
  • The Power of DNA Testing II Information and Theories
  • Are We On The Verge of World War III? Political Conspiracies
  • Sumerian & Babylonian Interpretations of Noah and the Ark Religion Articles
  • Video Claims Sewer Monster Lurking Behind Shadows Simply Unexplainable

The Greek New Year

Posted on August 22, 2011 By jim No Comments on The Greek New Year
Mooker

The first day of the New Year is celebrated in Greece in January 1st just like many places, but this was not always the case. The New Year in Greece used to be observed on September 1, and still is recognized to this day. In this article, you will learn the history and traditions behind this religious holiday.

Besides celebrating the New Year, January 1 in Greece was designated as a time to pay homage to St. Basil , known as one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church. The people knew St. Basil for his kindness and generosity towards the poor. Since he is believed to have died on January 1, this is the day chosen to honor the saint.

Interestingly, the New Year is a more festive time of the year than Christmas. Gifts are exchanged and tales of St. Basil’s kindness to children are told. There are stories of how he would come in the night and leave presents for children in their shoes. This holiday is also a time to host a large feast filled with music, food, and drinks.

Special dishes are prepared, such as St. Basil’s Cake (also known as Vassilopitta), where one could find a silver or gold coin that has been placed inside. There is a strict method to distributing the cake. The first piece is reserved for St. Basil. The second slice goes to the house. The oldest member of the household receives the next piece and the remaining slices are handed down from oldest to youngest family members. Some people also serve pieces of cake to the cattle and a large serving to the poor. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will enjoy luck for the next year. Other foods that grace tables during the holiday include honey, olive branches, nuts, shortbread, and fresh fruit. These all serve as symbols of happiness and wealth.

Greek New Year’s Day is still celebrated on September 1 because it is known as the date that kicks off the Greek sowing season. This time of hope involves farming families paying a visit to the local church with plates of seeds in hand. In hopes of starting the season off right, they seek blessings from the priest.

Different cities and towns observe their own traditions. For example, in Kos, the people make first-of-the-year wreaths using pomegranates, grapes, quinces, garlic bulbs, and leaves of the plane tree. Just before dawn, the children carry the wreaths down to the shore on September 1.

They toss out the old wreathes to sea and place the New Year wreaths under the water for good luck. In a jar, they place seawater and pebbles to carry back home. Tradition states that one should collect exactly 40 pebbles and the water should be collected from the tops of exactly 40 waves.

Religion Articles

Post navigation

Previous Post: The Role of Grapes in the Bible
Next Post: What Happened in Ancient Times , 105 and 106 AD?

Related Posts

  • 5 Year Religious Artifact Battle Ends Religion Articles
  • Mercy – A Feeling Which Everyone Must Adopt In Their Life Religion Articles
  • Ancient Egyptian Religion: Gods, Goddesses & Priests Religion Articles
  • Follow the Footsteps of Paul , Miletus to Jerusalem Religion Articles
  • The Nine Circles of Hell: Sixth and Seventh Religion Articles
  • Sacred Chinese Mountains , Song Shan Religion Articles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Mahavatar Babaji: The Yogi alive for 2000 years
  • Spirituality and science conflict
  • Conspiracies and myths about spirituality
  • Know your Ki: Reiki
  • 10 amazing plants to promote spirituality and positivity

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • June 2018
  • February 2018
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • February 2016
  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • July 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004
  • August 2004
  • July 2004
  • June 2004
  • May 2004
  • April 2004
  • March 2004
  • February 2004
  • January 2004
  • December 2003
  • November 2003
  • October 2003

Categories

  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Benjamin Fulford Story
  • Cryptology and Monsters
  • Eating Healthy
  • Ghost And Demons
  • Information and Theories
  • Mars Coverage
  • Meditation And Spirituality
  • Mysteries
  • NASA Articles
  • Other Exciting News
  • Personal Accounts
  • Pictures And Multimedia
  • Political Conspiracies
  • Recent Submissions
  • Religion Articles
  • Self Improvement
  • Simply Unexplainable
  • Space and Astrology
  • Technology Articles
  • True Stories
  • UFOs and Aliens
  • Unexplainable Video Library
  • Unexplainable Weather
  • College and University Haunts in South Dakota Ghost And Demons
  • Archeology News in July 2011 Ancient Civilizations
  • Friday the 13th Information and Theories
  • Horror Films Based on True Stories: Amityville Horror Information and Theories
  • New Dinosaur Analysis Reveals Misinterpretation Other Exciting News
  • Plant Growth In Crop Circle Locations Other Exciting News
  • The Words of the Middle Ages: Chaucer & Edward III Information and Theories
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 being fulfilled- The Day Of The Lord Is At Our Door Religion Articles

Copyright © 2023 Unexplainable.net.

Powered by PressBook News Dark theme