“Vasilopita,” a special Greek New Year’s cake
The story begins in the city of Caesarea in Cappadocia, where the benevolent ruler, Mega Vasileios, faced a ruthless tyrant enemy, threatening to besiege the city unless all its treasures were handed over. Mega Vasileios prayed for divine intervention, and miraculously, Saint Mercurius appeared, leading a heavenly army to defeat the tyrant and save the city.
However, Mega Vasileios now faced the challenge of distributing the recovered treasures fairly among the city’s inhabitants. With divine guidance, he decided to bake small loaves of bread, each containing a few pieces of treasure. These special loaves, known as Vasilopita, were then distributed among the people as a blessing. Every family cutting their loaf found the hidden treasures, bringing joy and blessing.
Since then, the tradition of making Vasilopita with a hidden coin inside has continued as a symbol of good fortune and unity during the New Year’s celebration. The act of sharing the Vasilopita represents the spirit of generosity and communal support, honoring the historical events that led to the city’s salvation.
If you are interested in this, check the full article in the link below:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/31/vasilopita-new-year-cake-coin-greece/
Photo credits: Olive magazine