|
| |
The Vasilopita Observance
In 1944 the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America
and later Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras designated the Philoptochos Society
Chapters of our Archdiocese to raise funds for Saint Basil's Academy in
Garrison, N.Y. which housed at that time, as it does now, orphans, unwanted
children and children from broken homes. One of the fund-raising events
instituted at that time is the observance of the Vasilopita. The word
Vasilopita is a compound Greek word that means the sweet bread of Saint Basil.
The annual observance of the Vasilopita originated from the January 1st Feast
Day of Saint Basil in respect for his many theological contributions to the
Church and to mankind. In the Fourth Century he built a complex of
buildings which included, a hospital, an orphanage and home for the poor.
Through the charitable works of Saint Basil, relief and care was given to the
needy.
According to tradition, sweet bread is prepared
in the Greek Orthodox homes and in the Church community. The sweetness of
the bread symbolizes the hope that the New Year will be filled with the
sweetness of life, liberty, health and happiness for all that participate in the
Vasilopita Observance. When the Vasilopita is prepared, a coin is usually
placed in the dough before it is baked. When bread is cut and distributed,
the individual who receives that portion of the Vasilopita, which contains the
coin, is considered to be fortunate. The Vasilopita is a joyous occasion
and it is a custom and tradition, which should be annually observed in the Greek
Orthodox Parishes and in the homes of Greek Orthodox Christians. By doing
this we commemorate the good and charitable works of Saint Basil.
Vasilopita Observance
One of the most beautiful and inspiring traditions and customs of the
Orthodox Church is the observance of the Vasilopita. It is this annual
observance, together with many other traditions that brings together our
families and increases our awareness of the needs of the poor.
The world Vasilopita is a compound Greek word which means the sweet bread of
St. Basil the Great, the one that is cut New Year’s eve or New Year’s day.
Usually it is cut by the senior member of the family.
Portions of the Agiovasilopita or Vasilopita are distributed as follows: The
first portion is cut in remembrance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The
second is for the Holy Mother of our Lord, Virgin Mary. The third is for St.
Basil the Great, the other portions are cut for the members of the family
including the Church, house, for the traveler, the visitor and the poor.
In one of those portions is a coin and whoever receives that coin, is
believed to have a special blessing for the New Year. The traditional Vasilopita
with the gathering of the family members and with the holiday atmosphere is one
of the most beautiful traditions of our families.
Marmarini
- The Emperor's Vasilopita Recipe
from the Island of Marmara (Preikoneisos)
The traditional Vasilopita of St. Basil's bread owes its origin to
the island of Marmara. The legend goes, that the Emperor Justinian was
so pleased with the marble from the island that he used to build St.
Sophia, that he built a marble palace there and gave the island to his
daughter as her "preika" or dowry. For years the island was
called "the island of the dowry" or "Preikoneisos."
Also, to honor the special relationship of the island to the Emperor,
their recipe for Vasilopita was taken back to Constantinople and
continued in the royal court. Two forms were customarily made, one the
traditional and the other of filo dough, made in alternating layers of
cinnamon, sugar, and butter.
The traditional recipe is as follows:
For 3 pounds of Vasilopita
- 12 cups of sifted bread flour
- 4 sticks of unsweetened butter
- 6 eggs
- 3 cups of whole milk
- 3 packages of quick rise dry yeast
- 3 cups of sugar
- 1-1/2 tsps. of finely crushed mastika
- 3 tsps. of salt
- 3 tsps. of cinnamon
- orange peel or brandy flavoring (touch)
Directions:
- Place the yeast and 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup warm water in a
bowl.
- Place the mastika, cinnamon, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour, salt,
and flavorings in a bowl and mix.
- Whip the 6 eggs together until they are golden yellow (15 minutes)
- Melt the butter and add the milk, constantly turning at low heat.
- Add the mastika mixture to the eggs and mix well.
- Add the yeast mixture to the eggs and mix well.
- Gradually, sir in the milk/butter mixture.
- Gradually, mix in the sugar.
- Add 2 cups of flour and continue stirring well.
- Gradually, add four 1 cup at a time until dough is not sticky.
- Knead the dough with the additional flour for about 15-20 minutes.
- Pre-heat the oven at 325.
- Put dough in a ball and cover in butter.
- Sprinkle flour in a corss on the dough and have each cook (or
child) make a cross on the dough's center.
- Place dough in a covered, greased pan and allow to rise about
2-1/2 hours.
- After dough has doubled in size, punch in the middle, divide into
greased pans and allow to rise about 45 minutes. (Place coin in at
this stage.)
- Cover pita in an egg white gloss and sprinkle sesame seeds on the
top.
- Decorate cross in center with almonds and/or cinnamon prints.
- Bake at 325 for about 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cover
with foil if getting too brown and test with fork to see if it
sticks.
- After cooling, turn the pita 3 times in a clockwise turn and make
the sign of the cross 3 times on the surface. Cut the pita and the
first piece going to St. Basil and the Saints, next the home,
business and family in seniority order!
|
taken from http://www.saint-anthonys.org/orthodox/vasilopita_recipe.htm
|
