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| The Holy Martyr Saint Eleftherios parishioners commemorate the Feast of Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ and also celebrate the Tradition of the Vasilopita. On the eight day of His Nativity, our Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised in accordance with the Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of God's Covenant with the holy Forefather Abraham and his descendants. (Genesis 17:10-14, Leviticus 12:3) The tradition of baking and cutting a special "pita" (which can mean a loaf, a cake, or even a pie) each year in January 1 is observed in honor of our Holy Father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea, in Cappadocia. - hence its name is Vasilopita. This tradition is observed in both parish churches and in the homes of the faithful. (Reference: The Orthodox Church in the Philippines - Iglesia Ortodoxa sa Pilipinas.) |
1/1/2014: The Feast of Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Tradition of the Vasilopita
