In Greece, what is the name of the sweet Christmas bread shaped like a cross?

In Greece, the sweet Christmas bread shaped like a cross is called Christopsomo, meaning “Christ’s bread.”

Christopsomo is a festive loaf traditionally prepared in Greek Orthodox households for Christmas. It is commonly enriched and lightly sweetened, often flavored with anise, citrus, or mastiha, and decorated with a prominent cross made from dough. Some versions also include nuts, dried fruit, sesame, or honey.

The cross gives the bread its religious symbolism, while the careful preparation is often treated as a sacred household task. Some families place the loaf on the table and believe Christ may bless or partake of it during the night. The bread may be cut and served during the Christmas celebration rather than treated as an everyday loaf.

Christopsomo is often confused with tsoureki, another sweet Greek bread most strongly associated with Easter, or with vasilopita, the New Year’s cake traditionally baked with a hidden coin. Koulourakia are smaller Greek cookies, so they are not the cross-shaped Christmas loaf described here.