WHITESTONE – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone held the annual cutting of the Vasilopita and Breakfast following the Divine Liturgy on January 8 hosted by the community’s Ladies Philoptochos Society in the Vasilis and Athanasia Kartsonis Hall.

Presiding priest of the community Fr. George Anastasiou and Fr. Chrysostom Onyekakeyah from Nigeria gave the opening prayer at the breakfast and later presided over the blessing and the cutting of the traditional Vasilopita.

Attendees enjoyed a buffet breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages, home fries, waffles, and bagels and each table had its own Vasilopita with a lucky coin.

Fr. Anastasiou in his remarks noted that St. Basil practiced philanthropy with discretion, since the saint knew who the poor people were of his time but he did not give them money directly, instead he put coins in bread and left it at the houses of the poor so they would find it in the morning and not be offended that they had been singled out. “Most especially, St. Basil around the holidays but also every day, reminds us that we are called to think and place those less fortunate above ourselves, first and always, that is the true role of Christianity, that is the role of philanthropy, and so what better saint to honor today for our Philoptochos than St. Basil the Great?”

Fr. Anastasiou also thanked Fr. Chrysostom, the Parish Council and its members who were present including President Dimitrios Antonakis. He especially thanked Philoptochos President Irene Mihalios and all the ladies of the Philoptochos, wishing them all the best to continue their efforts for those who do not have a voice and for God to return those efforts to them and their families first as spiritual health and then as bodily health.

Philoptochos President Irene Mihalios wished everyone a happy new year and thanked all those present for attending and for their generosity which supports the Philoptochos in its effort to help our fellow human beings in need. She also thanked Fr. Anastasiou and the members of the Philoptochos as well as Xenis Thoma, who prepared the breakfast along with a small team of volunteers, and is always giving back to the community.

The event concluded with a raffle drawing for a variety of prizes and best wishes to all for a happy and healthy New Year.