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.

Contacted by IPN, priest Eugen Onicov, of the Chisinau Church “Saint Pantelemon”, said that on this day the churches hold the Liturgy of Saint Basil, which is staged only ten times a year. At these services, the prayers are longer.

“Saint Basil, as all the other saints, is an example to be followed. The saints paved the way for salvation and for the Kingrod of God and we must follow them in their steps,” said the priest.

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.