Celebrate New Year with Vasilopitta

I wanted to start the year, by wishing you all Καλη Χρονια (ka-lli hro-nia) which means good year, but when we say it, we mean, “we hope you have a good year to come”.  It’s how we greet each other after the festive season is over and we enter a new year. Like new beginnings.  

Last year was an eventful year for me and my family. Moving home, leaving full-time work, etc.   I’m looking forward to sharing this year with you all with my traditional bakes new and old.

On 6th January, in Greece and Cyprus we celebrate a major Greek Orthodox holiday, called Epiphany.  It commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.  So, as a tradition every 6th January, it’s a ritual that the priest throws a large cross in the sea, lake or river,  and young men, boys, etc, dive into cold water to retrieve it.  The person who finds the cross is believed to be blessed with good luck for the year!!  

It’s also a day when we enjoy being around family and friends enjoying a feast to celebrate the new year.  

We eat cake which we call Vasilopitta (a sweet bread or cake), we make each New Year’s Eve and inside it, there’s a hidden coin.  Again, like the Cross, whoever finds the coin will be blessed!

Looking forward to sharing with you all recipes and food, in the New Year!

Happy 2025.

Antigoni  🇬🇷 🇨🇾