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| THE MONTREAL GREEK TIMES GOPHER NEWS SERVICE |
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March 2026
Corinthian association celebrates heritage with annual
Vasilopita cutting in Laval
(GIF) article photo
By Antonia Macris
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The air inside the community hall in Laval was thick with the scent of
traditional Greek spices and the resonant sounds of the homeland as
members of the Corinthian Association of Greater Montreal gathered to
usher in the new year. Gold and blue flags stood proudly against the
walls while a decorated tree twinkled in the corner, setting a festive
stage for a night dedicated to the preservation of Hellenic identity and
the rekindling of ancestral ties. This gathering represented more than a
simple social dinner; it served as a vital cultural bridge for the
Peloponnesian diaspora, focusing on the weighty themes of generational
continuity, the resilience of regional associations in Quebec, and the
sacred nature of the vasilopita ritual in maintaining a sense of
belonging far from the shores of the Corinthian Gulf.
The vasilopita tradition remains a cornerstone of Greek life,
functioning as a symbolic bridge between the sacred and the secular at
the dawn of each year. Known linguistically as Saint Basil's pie, the
custom involves the baking of a bread or cake that contains a hidden
coin, or flouri, intended to bring divine favour to the individual who
discovers it in their portion. While the recipe varies by region from
the sweet, brioche-like tsoureki to the custard-based galatopita, the
ritual surrounding its distribution is strictly observed. The head of
the household or organization etches the sign of the cross over the
crust with a knife before slicing pieces in a specific order of
precedence, often beginning with symbolic portions for the Lord, Saint
Basil, and the poor, before moving through the family by age from the
eldest to the youngest. This practice is rooted in a beloved legend
where Saint Basil of Caesarea, tasked with returning a collective
ransom to the citizens of his city, baked the jewellery into loaves of
bread to ensure a fair and miraculous redistribution to the rightful
owners. Today, the tradition serves as a primary vehicle for communal
blessing, ensuring that the virtues of charity and hope are carried
forward into the next twelve months.
The evening was characterized by a profound sense of kefi, that
uniquely Greek expression of spirited joy and passion that moved guests
to the dance floor shortly after the meal. Men and women joined hands
in circular dances, with leaders frequently holding a white
handkerchief to allow for the acrobatic twists and deep lunges that
characterize the proud dances of the Peloponnese. The energy reached a
peak when a member of the association Mr. George Plessas engaged in the
traditional act of plate smashing, an exuberant display of high spirits
that left white shards scattered across the wooden floor as a testament
to the intensity of the celebration.
The custom of plate smashing, though often associated with modern Greek
nightlife, carries deep historical and symbolic weight within the
context of Hellenic celebration. It is widely considered an expression
of kefi so abundant that it must be released through a controlled act of
destruction, symbolizing a break from the past or a defiance of the
finality of grief and hardship. Some ethnographic theories suggest the
practice may have ancient roots related to the concept of the funeral
feast, where breaking items served to ward off evil spirits or signify
that the living no longer had use for the earthly goods of the deceased.
In the contemporary diaspora, the act has evolved into a celebratory
ritual often seen at weddings and communal feasts to honour a
particularly moving musical performance or a skilled dancer. While many
modern venues in Greece have replaced ceramic plates with flowers for
safety and economic reasons, the act remains a potent symbol of the
Greek spirit's refusal to be dampened by the mundanity of everyday life,
transforming a simple piece of crockery into a vehicle for communal
catharsis and shared joy.
Association president Maria Brakoulias, who has held her leadership
role for two years, spoke to THE MONTREAL GREEK TIMES newspaper with
conviction about the necessity of these gatherings for the survival of
the group. She noted that the Corinthian Association of Montreal
Apostle Paul has deep roots, having been founded in 1968. "Today we
held the annual vasilopita," Brakoulias said. "As you know, the
Corinthian Association of Montreal has shrunken quite a bit over the
years, but we are keeping it quite alive. We try to gather at least
once a year. Many members have left unfortunately, but the younger
members have kept it. The Corinthian Association of Montreal will not
die. We will always be here". She recalled a time during her childhood
when her late father served on the board and the association boasted
between 700 and 800 members.
The sentiment of duty toward the previous generation was a recurring
theme among the guests. Aleka and George, siblings and children of
former board members, emphasized that attendance at such events is a
debt of honour to their parents. "We must try to give, to rejuvenate the
association, because many of the old ones have unfortunately left,"
Aleka stated. "And others are sick, they have grown older and it is more
difficult. That is why those of us who are the other generation try to
communicate with people so they can come. Because if they do not come,
there will be no association. We owe it to our parents, our fathers, our
mothers, everyone". George echoed this perspective, viewing the growth
of the community through a lens of momentum. "The more members we have,
it is an important thing," he said. "I remember in the past, in the
eighties and nineties, it was something positive. We think of the
memories and we owe it for our fatherland, the Corinthia. As people come
more, this thing will strengthen. It is like a snowball effect".
Personal connections to the soil of the Peloponnese remained at the
forefront of the evening's conversations. Vassilios Serfas, a native of
Zevgolatio, Corinthia, expressed his happiness at the reunion. "With
great joy, after quite a while, we found ourselves here for the cutting
of the vasilopita," he said. Another guest, a former president of the
Argolida Association, attended to support the Corinthians despite the
dissolution of her own regional group. "I am from Kranidi, Argolida,"
she said. "I am very happy for you and I have come many times when you
gather, even while we have been lost. Good fun to everyone". These
stories highlighted the diverse yet unified experience of the diaspora,
where regional loyalties from the Peloponnese coalesce into a broader
Hellenic pride in Montreal.
The hall was filled with the sounds of well wishes as members sat around
tables decorated with white linens. One attendee noted that their entire
table hailed from the same village, Stymfalia, Corinthia. "I wish
everyone health and love," she said, reflecting the communal warmth that
defined the night. Other members shared simple, heartfelt prayers for
the future, with one guest stating, "I wish for everyone to have health,
peace, and for your association to slowly grow. May you be well and
thank you for the evening". Another member added, "I wish for health and
for us to always try to be here again next year and always".
The evening also included a raffle where guests won various
prizes, adding an element of excitement to the proceedings
alongside a sweet table laden with traditional desserts. The
event, which took place on Saturday, January 24, at 6:00 p.m. at
the Hall of the Arcadian Association at 4391 Saint Martin
Boulevard West in Laval. The program concluded with a final
message from the organizers, thanking the community for their
participation and offering wishes for a prosperous 2026.
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