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Tradition continues

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-- Contributed

New Year's Day at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in remembrance of St. Basil the Great, followed by the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita, a sweet bread or cake with a coin baked into it. The person who finds the coin will be blessed with good luck for the entire new year, explained Pearl Tranto of the Philoptochos Society. "This tradition began centuries ago in honor of St. Basil who provided for the poor in this manner," she noted. For many years, Helen and Dina Tsiftis have baked the Vasilopita on New Year's Day in remembrance of their husband and father, Protopsalti Vasili (Bill) Tsiftis, who was head cantor at All Saints for more than 30 years, she noted, adding the Philoptochos baked 160 loaves to sell to its parishioners to take home and celebrate New Year's Day. From left are Dina and Helen Tsiftis, the Rev. Frank Milanese and Presbytera Cynthia Milanese. "The tradition of the Vasilopita is one of the fondest in the Orthodox faith," Tranto said.

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