Romanian Community in Cyprus holds Vasilopita cutting tradition: An act of communion

The Romanian community in Cyprus held its annual Vasilopita cutting event, a local tradition dedicated to honouring Saint Basil the Great.

The event was organized last week at the headquarters of the Romanian Alliance in Cyprus. Father Petre Matei, the priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Cyprus, conducted the service preceding the cutting of the Vasilopita.

Father Petre Matei delivered a message full of hope at the beginning of the year, wishing all participants a blessed year filled with peace and prosperity. He also congratulated the Romanian Alliance in Cyprus, the event’s organizer, for their initiative to preserve and promote this beautiful local tradition.

The priest emphasized that the Vasilopita cutting event symbolizes community, coexistence, and harmony between the Romanian and Cypriot peoples.

“This ceremony represents more than a simple tradition; it is an act of communion, bringing us together at the start of the year to place God at the center of our lives. It is an opportunity to give thanks for the blessings received and to pray for His guidance and blessings for the new year ahead.”

The ceremony was attended by Christina Todea-Christodoulou, President of the Romanian Alliance in Cyprus, His Excellency Dan Mihalache, the Romanian Ambassador to Cyprus, and other members of the Romanian community.

A similar Vasilopita ceremony also took place last week at the Greek Church in Bucharest.

How Did the Vasilopita Tradition Begin?

Vasilopita is traditionally prepared on January 1, in celebration of St. Basil’s feast day and the beginning of the civil New Year, but it can be made throughout January.

The tradition of Vasilopita is tied to a historical event during which Saint Basil’s flock faced a heavy tax during a famine. Families were forced to surrender their jewellery, coins, and valuable items. Saint Basil intervened with the emperor, pleading on behalf of the people, and succeeded in having the tax annulled. The emperor returned the wealth to the bishop.

Uncertain about how to redistribute the belongings, Saint Basil decided to bake a large pie and place all the valuables inside. After the Divine Liturgy, he blessed and cut the pie, distributing a slice to each person. Miraculously, everyone received the items they had originally surrendered.

Photo: Romanian Alliance in Cyprus


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