The congregation of Christ Church Ayia Napa were joined on Sunday by deputy mayor Antonis Christou, at a special gathering to cut the Vasilopita—a cake prepared at the beginning of each year in honour of St Basil the Great.
According to tradition, in the 4th century a powerful ruler laid siege to St Basil’s city, Caesarea in Cappadocia, and demanded a heavy tribute. Fearing for their lives, the people entrusted their valuables to St Basil, but the attackers suddenly withdrew and abandoned the siege.
St Basil then faced the difficult task of returning the valuables to their rightful owners. Not knowing who had given what, he ordered small loaves of bread to be baked, placing coins and pieces of jewellery inside them. These were distributed among the people and, by God’s providence, each person received back exactly what he or she had offered. A coin (‘flouri’) is therefore baked into the annual Vasilopita, believed to bring blessing and good fortune to the person who finds it in their slice.
The Vasilopita is cut in a ceremonial fashion, with the first piece symbolically offered to Jesus Christ.
Christ Church shares a building with the Scandinavian Church and they share celebrations common to each. Reverend George Vidiakin thanked the deputy mayor for the prevalence of religious tolerance and freedom of belief that the Churches experience in Ayia Napa,.
“Christ Church Ayia Napa keeps the local authorities in its prayers and prays for the flourishing and well-being of the town and the wider region,” he said.
The prize for finding the flouri went to Julie Jardin , who won a pack of green tea. Mr Christou wished all a blessed and happy new year
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