New Year and Saint Basil
Greek calendar. This year (2026): 2026-01-01. Next year: 2027-01-01.
Who celebrates in the Greek list
- Βασίλης
- Βασίλειος
- Βασιλική
- Βάσια
- Βασιλάκης
- Βασίλας
- Βασιλεία
- Βασιλικούλα
- Βασιλίνα
- Βάσος
- Βασούλα
- Βάσω
- Βιβή
- Βίβιαν
- Βίκυ
- Βίλυ
- Εμμέλεια
- Εμυ
- Μπίλης
- Μπίλλης
- Τηλέμαχος
A short account
On 1 January the civil new year coincides with the memory of Basil the Great, 4th-century bishop of Caesarea, remembered as a theologian and organiser of the Church’s care for the poor. The Greek calendar gives the day to names drawn from Vasileios.
Customs
The best-known custom is the vasilopita, a bread or cake with a hidden coin, cut at the turn of the year. New Year carols are also widespread, with local tunes.
Wishes
- A good year. Many years, Vasilis.