Vasyl’s (Basil’s) name day under the new church calendar of the OCU and UGCC is celebrated on 1 January; under the old style it is 14 January. The day honours Saint Basil the Great, so Vasyl’s name day coincides with New Year’s Day. Ukrainians call this folk feast “Vasylia”: in the morning boys go from house to house sowing grain and wishing the hosts happiness for the whole year. Below are short name day wishes for Vasyl, wishes in your own words, messages for a husband, dad, son, friend or colleague, and poems.
Holiday collections for this season: New Year wishes and Epiphany wishes; other name days — name day wishes.
The name Vasyl comes from the Greek for “royal”. And since the name day falls on New Year’s Day, it is natural to combine wishes: luck for the whole year, strength and prosperity. For example: “Vasyl, happy name day! You are lucky to celebrate together with the whole country. May this year bring you as much joy as the grain the sowers scatter, and may Saint Basil protect you and your family.”
Traditionally, on the morning of 1 January people “sow” the house with grain, saying in Ukrainian: «Сію, вію, посіваю, з Новим роком вас вітаю!» (“I sow, I winnow, I scatter — Happy New Year to you!”). A modern version: “I sow and wish Vasyl well — health and happiness all year, and may prosperity stay right here!”
Happy St Basil’s Day to you,
Peace at home in all you do,
May good health be always near
And luck stay with you all the year!
New Year’s Day and your saint’s day too —
A double feast, just for you!
May this year be bright and kind
With peace of heart and peace of mind!
Saint Basil the Great was a 4th-century archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, a theologian and philanthropist who founded hospitals and shelters. After the OCU and UGCC switched to the new calendar in 2023, his feast and the folk St Basil’s Day moved to 1 January, and Generous Eve moved to 31 December.
Vasyl (Basil) comes from the Greek “basileus”, “king”, so it means “royal” or “majestic”. St Basil the Great’s day falls at the start of the new year, so men named Vasyl have long been greeted together with carols and sowing wishes. Ideas for a greeting:
Festive white rose bouquets, Kyiv sweets or a New Year gift are perfect for St Basil’s Day.
More options in our white roses and flowers for men sections.
Under the new church calendar — on 1 January; under the old style — on 14 January.
A 4th-century archbishop of Caesarea, theologian and philanthropist, one of the most revered saints of the Church.
A folk tradition: on the morning of St Basil’s Day boys scatter grain in the house and wish the hosts a generous year.
Another men’s name day: Ivan’s name day (7 January and 24 June).
Another January name day: Oksana’s name day (24 January).
A December name day: Anastasiia’s name day (22 December).
The last evening of the year: Generous Eve and Malanka wishes (31 December).
On the third day of Christmas: Stepan name day wishes (27 December).
Read also: birthday wishes for Vasyl.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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