Orthodox Christians observe Saint Basil on Jan. 14

The Moldovan Orthodox Church on Janiuary 14 celebrates the feast of Saint Basil the Great or Basil of Caesarea, who was the Greek bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor. He is considered one of the greatest saints in the Christianity. Priest Eugen Onicov, of St. Panthelimon Church in Chisinau, told Info-Prim Neo that the greatest accomplishment of the saint is the Liturgy of Saint Basil, which is read 10 times a year, on the holy feasts, and on Sundays in Lent. There are a number of prayers attributed to Saint Basil, including three Prayers of Exorcism, the Prayer of the Hours, and the Prayers of St. Basil the Great that are read very seldom. On the eve of Saint Basil the Great, the children go to sing good-luck-wishing songs to villagers, while the next day they go ‘sowing’ and the people give them candies, knot-shaped bread and money. Old-style New Year is celebrated on January 14. Churches across Moldova read the Liturgy of Saint Basil on January 14. People bring tributes in the form of food to the church to pray for the health of the living and to commemorate the dead. Many people also come to the church with grain and scatter the seeds around in a sowing movement in anticipation of a prosperous year.