Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

During these festive days, we do more than just exchange greetings; we reconnect with the roots of our spirituality and identity. For the Greeks of the Azov region, the winter holidays have always been filled with a sacred meaning passed down through centuries — from Crimea to the steppes of the Azov region.

Featured on our greeting card are two key symbols of our festive table, depicted with authentic detail:

1. Christmas Bread (Christopsomo or Kloube) — a symbol of life, fertility, and gratitude to God. Baking this bread was a true ritual that united the family.

2. St. Basil’s Pie (Vasilopita) — an integral part of the New Year celebration. By tradition, it is St. Basil (Ayios Vasilis) who brings gifts and blessings to Greek homes. Cutting the Vasilopita to find the hidden coin for good luck remains a beloved tradition in many families today.

The “Mariupol Greeks” project team sincerely wishes you peace, comfort, and prosperity. May the light of the Christmas star illuminate your homes, and may preserving the memory of our ancestors’ traditions grant you strength and hope for the future.

Kala Christougenna! Kali Chronia!