| January 1st marked not only the first day of 2020, but also the Great Feast of the Circumcision of Christ. Along with this great feast was the commemoration of St. Basil the Great and the patronal feast day of our Archbishop and Metropolitan Basilios. There was no better way to start the year than to pray the richly beautiful Matins and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. Under the Pastorship of Metropolitan Basilios, the faithful clergy, along with the parishioners, gathered at St. Nicholas parish to pray for a fruitful New Year, that the year is blessed by God, and for strength to accept the Lord’s will. With words of appreciation, His Eminence offered wisdom for the coming year and instructions for a strong spiritual foundation for the upcoming months. After the divine service, the traditional Vasilopita, which translates to ‘Basil-pie’ – in honour of St. Basil the Great – was cut and distributed by His Eminence. The Vasilopita is a traditional New Year’s Day sweet bread and the anticipation of receiving the hidden coin inside each cake brought a light-hearted joy; each person held their breath of being the privileged recipient for the year. This rich day of feasts launched those in attendance into the New Year in an incomparable manner. Despite any little glimpses of initial lethargy, everyone was left feeling energised and blessed. We wish our Chief Shepherd a blessed feast and many years! The archdiocese wishes all a blessed crown of the year and a joyous 2020! |
