“The Meloma of Christ”, a custom passed down from generation to generation, was revived again this year, on Christmas Eve in Arnaia, Halkidiki, by the Cultural and Educational Society of Arnaia, in the presence of a large number of Arnaia residents and visitors. The atmosphere in the central square of the village was very Christmassy with the participation of the philharmonic band.

At the foot of Holomont and at an altitude of 600m. , residents and visitors flooded the square of Arnaia, and were given pieces of honey and walnuts. The overwhelming event was accompanied by their melodies, the mixed choir of the region and the philharmonic orchestra.

The Christ bread, measuring 2×2 meters and weighing 400 kilograms, symbolizes the food that the faithful give to Christ, during the first steps of his birth.

A few words about the Custom

Every year, on the evening of Christmas Eve, all families gather around the Christmas table, faithful to the customs and traditions, for the cutting of Christmas bread.

This very old custom has been carried over to the central square for several years now by the Cultural and Educational Society of Arnaia. However, in order for everyone to enjoy the above custom on this particular night, a ritual-like process precedes it and starts from the morning of that day.

A festive atmosphere prevails in the workshop, as long as it takes for the dough to rise, bake, and bake. In the late afternoon, Christopsomo and walnuts with honey are brought to the central square of Arnaia. There a crowd of people waits patiently, defying the cold, for the performance of the custom.

The mixed choir of Arnaia emerges from our traditional cobblestones, singing carols while everyone holds lighted lanterns in their hands. They descend towards the center of the square where you perform the custom. On the other side you can hear our band playing Christmas tunes.

Then, after being blessed, he shares the Christ bread and the honey with the nuts to the world. Truly, how enchanting this custom of ours becomes when we all become members of the same family that is preparing to receive the miracle of Christ’s Birth.