However, the first day of the year marks the celebration of Saint Vasile – Sfantul Vasile. On this day children come caroling a carol called Sorcova, wishing people a rich, fruitful year. The agrarian carol Plugusorul (the little plough) is also sang in the first day of the year.
Saint Vasile, or Saint Basil the Great, was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, in modern-day Turkey. He is known as a saint protecting against evil spirits. He established asylums and hospitals for the poor, an establishment to help prostitutes. In the Greek tradition, he brings gifts to children every January 1. Saint Vasile is a name day for many Romanians.
Because the New Year is a time of renewal, the popular tradition argues that the year should be welcomed with good thoughts so that the entire year is a good one. People should avoid getting upset or arguing and be merry, so they will stay in the same spirits the entire year.
A tradition is to pick up a tool on January 1 and work with it three times to progress with work throughout the year. At the same time, one superstition argues that the way visitors coming on Saint Vasile are, either rich or poor, the same way the guest will be.
Weather wise, the Saint Vasile day will determine the entire year. If it is really cold, it is a sign that the year that just stared will be a good one, and many marriages will be celebrated. If it snows on Saint Vasile, the year will be a prosperous one, and if the weather is clear and freezing, people will be healthy throughout the year.
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