New Year’s Day (protochronia) celebrations are even more festive than Christmas since they are a major gift-giving occasion. A special cake (vassilopita), concealing a good-luck coin, is served in memory of St. Vasilios, one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church remembered for his kindness and generosity.
On the morning of New Year’s Day the master of the house breaks a pomegranate just inside the entrance door, so that all its seeds burst out, spreading everywhere to bring good luck.