Orthodox Christians celebrate Feast of Saint Basil the Great
The Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar on January 14 observe the Feast of Saint Basil the Great, who is considered one of the three pillars of the Christian Church.
Basil the Great became holy during his lifetime, owing to his philanthropic work. He was an influential theologian known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. He established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor He is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity.
By tradition, on the Eve of the Feast of Saint Basil the children go singing specific New Year songs. On January 14, when it is also celebrated the New Year according to the old style, the children go ‘sowing’ and the ‘sowed’ people offer them walnuts, candies, knot-shaped bread and money.
