2024 New Year’s and Vasilopita Celebration

Hosted by the UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation for the Study of Hellenic Culture
and the UCLA Hellenic Students’ Community

Friday, January 19, 2023
4:00 p.m.
Rolfe Hall Courtyard, UCLA

This event is for UCLA students, faculty, and staff and advance RSVP is requested.

Vasilopita translates to “Saint Basil’s pie”, and is a special cake or bread that is traditionally cut on January 1st. The cutting of this cake is a festive and meaningful custom in Greek households and communities, bringing people together to celebrate and share blessings for the new year.

A silver or gold coin is inserted into the cake before baking, symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the person who finds it in their slice.

The tradition is inspired by Saint Basil, a Christian bishop and one of the Fathers of the Eastern Orthodox Church, known for his efforts to help the poor and those in need.

According to legend, during a severe famine in Caesarea in the 4th century, Saint Basil asked the wealthy in the community to contribute funds to alleviate the suffering of the poor.

To distribute the aid fairly and anonymously, Saint Basil baked coins into the bread. As people received the bread, they miraculously found the coins, providing them with the economic assistance they needed.