New Years Eve & New Years

Day (PROTOCHRONIA) in
Greece

After Christmas, the children impatiently await the New Year (Protohronia
) because that's when St. Basil ( Ayios Vasilis ) delivers their gifts.
In Greece it is the custom to exchange gifts on the New Year instead
of Christmas. The presents are delivered by Saint Basil (Agios
Vasilis). Agios Vasilis is the Greek Santa Claus.
On New Year's Eve in Greece it is customary for most people to gather in
the town's center, or plaza, for last minute shopping or just a pleasant
stroll. On the main roads, teenagers and other young ones create a
maniacal scene by declaring a bloodless war on each other, using plastic
clubs, giant plastic hammers, foam spray and whistles as "weapons."
Later, all the friends gather at one of their houses to ring in the New Year
together.

The morning of the New Year comes alive as children go from door
to door singing carols (kalanta) and they are rewarded with a coin in
return. The other rites and rituals involving New Year celebrations
are as follows

THE NEW YEAR CAKE (VASILOPITA) WITH THE GOLDEN COIN

The cutting of the vasilopita is

one of the few primordial customs still surviving. In the Kronia (the
celebration of the god Kronos, who was worshiped in Greece) and the
Saturnalia of Rome, sweets and cakes would be prepared with a coin
inside. The one who received the piece with the coin would be the lucky
one of the group . . .
The Orthodox tradition combined this custom with the New Year cake. On
New Year's Eve everyone gathers around waiting for the vasilopita to be
cut as the new year rolls in. When the time comes the father, in a solemn
ceremony, starts to cut the cake. The first piece is for Christ, the second
for the house, and then pieces for everyone present. The one who gets the
piece with the coin will be the lucky one of the year!

Kali Hera or Kali Xera:

It is a traditional ritual for Greek children to receive gifts of kali

(money) during the New Year. This custom stemmed out of the fact
that money has never been abundant in the country of Greece, and
that too many toy shops or other shops to buy gifts suitable for
children were not rampant either. As such, people used to gift their
children, nephew, nieces or grandchildren money which was a mark
that they are wishing for prosperity for their little ones in the
upcoming New Year. Often people accompanied these monetary
gifts with sweets or pastries.

Smashing a Pomegranate:

From the ancient times pomegranate has been considered to be a

sign of fertility, prosperity and regeneration. It has been the custom
since ancient times for Greek households to hang a pomegranate
above the main entrance door of the house. Some people also get
the fruit blessed at the Church before doing so. A little before the
clock strikes twelve marking the advent of the New Year it is the
custom to turn off all lights and for the family members to step out
of the house. The family members then step in again with their right
foot first after the First Footer makes an entry at midnight. The
person who enters immediately after the First Footer rolls the fruit
holding it in the right hand with force against the door and smashes
it open. It is believed that the number of seeds that gets scattered is
directly proportional to the amount of good luck the family would be
blessed with in the upcoming year.

Cretan Traditions
The people of Crete hang wild onions in their homes on New Years
Day. The wild onions that grow on the island of Crete are poisonous
and may cause skin rash. When uprooted, the wild onion are still
able to grow new leaves and flowers. This rare quality signifies great
natural power and makes them special for the people of Crete.

Momogeri
In various parts of Greece as in Pella, Karditsa and certain villages in
Kozani, the residents carry out a custom for the fertility of the earth.
During the days between Christmas and Epiphany people are
disguised as Momogeri running in the streets dancing to the
sounds of traditional instruments.

Fireworks and Jubilations:

It is very common to find people thronging night clubs, pubs, bars

and as well as shopping plazas on the occasion of New Year. Streets
get crowded with people and traffic becomes very slow. In keeping
with this festive spirit, the various municipal bodies also deck up the
main avenues and landmark locations. In many places sponsored
musical events too are organized for. In many places throughout
Greece elaborate firework displays can be seen that further add on
to the mood of festive fervor. People get enthralled by many such
entertainment options, and generally enjoy till sunrise the next day.

Ships and Traditional Songs on Chios:

On Chios it is tradition for islanders to make detailed (and large) model
ships which the fisherman carry throughout the villages to the sea while
singing traditional island songs. It is a project in which the entire family
participates and is an old custom on this Aegean island. Many of the
islands have traditions that involve boats as Greeks have very deep ties to
the sea.