Oh lucky day!

While most of us are nursing our hangovers on New Years Day, the children of Greece are waking up full of beans, excited to see what Ayios Vasilis has brought them. While Saint Nicolas is thanked for protecting sailors, Saint Basil takes on the role of the Greek 'Santa Claus'.

This first day of the new year is when the Renewal Ceremony is performed. All of the water jugs in the house are emptied and replenished with St Basil holy water. Also known as Saint Basil Day, New Years Day is the luckiest day of the year. While some Greeks buy lottery tickets, others play cards in the local kafenion in the hope that luck is on their side.