Who was Agios Vasilios?
Basil of Caesarea, also known as St. Basil the Great or Agios Vasilios, is one of the most important New Year’s figures in all of Greece. He was born in Pontus in 330, into a wealthy family of ten children. His maternal grandfather was executed in during the years of Christian persecution.
What Agios Vasileios look like?
Although the concepts are similar, “Greek Santa Claus” is also referred to as “Agios Vasilios” or Saint Basil. Agios Vasilios is portrayed as a distinguished looking man who wears a long, clerical robes and a long beard. He brings gifts to children, but not on Christmas Eve.
What are the Christmas traditions in Greece?
Here are five common traditions practiced in Greece throughout the holiday season!
- Christmas Boats and Trees.
- Children Sing Kalanta.
- Cookies Become Their Own Food Group.
- Gifts Aren’t Exchanged on Christmas.
- Kallikantzari Tease Villages.
Does Greece celebrate Christmas?
Greek Christmas (Christougena) is celebrated on the 25th of December and is the time when families come together to celebrate. The most popular traditions are the decoration of the Christmas boat, the Greek Christmas carols, the tradition of Saint Basil’s cake, the pomegranate, “kalikatzaroi”.
What is Santa called in Greece?
Ayios Vassileios
The Greek Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassileios” in Greek. He is like the father of Christmas; also an old man with a white beard, who is wearing a red cape.
Who is saint Basil in Greece?
Caesarea
Saint Basil of Caesarea, who lived from A.D. 329 to January 1, 379, was a near contemporary of Saint Nicholas, who died around the year 343. Basil served the Church as the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, a Greek-speaking province in Asia Minor, in what is now modern-day Turkey.
How do you say Agios Vasilis?
- Phonetic spelling of Vassilios. v-uh-s-IH-l-y-uh-s. Vas-sil-ios.
- Meanings for Vassilios. Vassilios is a Greek forename.
- Examples of in a sentence. Agios Vassilios, West Greece, Greece 10-Day Weather Forecaststar_ratehome.
- Translations of Vassilios. Spanish : Le hace eco vassilios.
What is Santa Claus called in Greece?
What is the main symbol Christmas in Greece?
The karavaki is the symbol of Christmas in Greece. After all Greece is country that has a rich tradition of seafaring and a deep appreciation for its seas. This is a Christmas tsoureki. Tsoureki is actually a traditional sweet bread baked during Easter.
What language do they speak in Greece?
Greek
Greece/Official languages
What do you say for Greek Easter?
Christos Anesti
HARPERSVILLE — “Christos Anesti” or “Christ is risen” is a traditional greeting among Greek Orthodox Christians during their Pascha, or Easter service. “One person says ‘Christos Anesti! ‘ or ‘Christ is risen!
What is Agios Vassilis the Greek Santa Claus?
Agios Vassilis – a Greek (more solemn and much thinner) version of Santa Claus. In the past, before the late 1980s and the introduction of Western-style (over)consumerism, Greeks offered gifts on New Year’s Day, the day marking “Agios Vassilis’” or St Basil’s name day.
Who was Agios Vassilis in ancient Greece?
According to the Greek tradition, the Greek Santa Claus was associated with bringing practical aid to the poor, so he was considered as someone who brings “gifts”. For the Greeks in Asia Minor, Agios Vassilis was something like the European Santa Claus.
When is the feast day of Agios Vasileios celebrated?
The Feast Day of Agios Vasileios or Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea is celebrated on the first of January; New Year’s Day.
Why does Agios Vasilis bring presents on New Year’s Eve?
He died on January 1 st 379 AD. and the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates his memory on January 1 st. This is why in Greece Agios Vasilis brings presents on New Year’s Eve and not on Christmas, as it happens elsewhere in the world.
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