How To Do Just About Everything
By eHow Culture & Society Editor
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In Greece, members of the Eastern Orthodox Church consider Christmas second only to Easter as the most important holiday of the year.
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Comments
kohuether said
on 5/9/2008 Yes, our church has a Vasilopita charity thing to raise money for Saint Basil's Academy every year. I've gotten the coin before and haven't noticed much of a difference. :)
Anonymous said
on 12/28/2005 The Vasilopita is not a Christmas cake; it is St. Basi's cake. St. Basil, instead of just St. Nicholas, is known for bringing gifts. We put a coin (wrapped in foil) in the cake and cut symbolic pieces for Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Basil, the poor, and then a piece for each family member. Whoever gets the coin will have good luck for the rest of the year. Also, we decorate apples, oranges, and pomegranates with gold Greek letters of H and P for Hronia Polla (Many Years) and K and H for Kali Hronia (Good Year).
Also, the evil elves are known as Kalikantzari.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Also, in olden days, they used to decorate a ship (usually wooden), instead of a christmas tree. Nowadays, we usually decorate a christmas tree, but in my family we still decorate a ship (which stands in the best spot in the house), as well as a tree for the kids.