Vasilopita dinner at St. Spyridon

The annual Vasilopita Dinner held Sunday at the Hellenic Center in Monessen was extra special this year as the congregation welcomed its new priest, Father Meletios Gianniodis, who just arrived in Monessen from Greece this week. Father Meletios presided over his first Liturgy before the dinner, which is based on the tradition of St. Basil, a bishop of the Orthodox church, who placed coins and gems into cakes and breads and distributed these baked goods to the poor and suffering. Vasilopita is a good-luck egg bread that contains a coin, and the guest who finds it is said to be blessed with good fortune the entire year. The Ladies Philoptochos Society organizes the event. In the top photo, William Manus of Monessen receives bread from Father Meletios with Tommie Kosko looking on. At right, Matthew Leach of Monessen takes bread.