'Clean Monday' Traditions in Greece.

Locally known as Kathara Deftera, 'Clean Monday' or 'Shrove Monday' is a national holiday in Greece.

This is the first day of Great Lent in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Christians begin the holy season with clean hearts and good intention. Regarded also as a time for when Christians should clean up their spiritual house, coming to terms with their lives and re-dedicating themselves to a more holy and righteous way of living.

Clean Monday is a day of strict fasting. Christians who partake in the Orthodox practices are not allowed to eat from midnight to noon and have no meat at all.

Christians are also expected to spend extra time praying during the day and reading from the bible.

Clean Monday is also considered to mark the first day of Spring, many celebrating with outdoor activities and picnics, kite flying, dancing and music, rather than fasting and prayer. These activities are often called 'koulouma'.

Due to not eating meat, traditional foods include olives, octopus and shrimp. 

A special unleavened bread called 'lagana' is baked only on Clean Monday. Lagana dates back to the Old Testament and alludes to the help offered by God to the Israeli people while guiding them from Egypt to the promised land.

Children also create Kyra Sarakosti also known as 'Lady Lent'. Without a mouth, ears and with seven legs, she is either made of paper/cardboard cut out or dough. 

We were presented with this paper version, last year, from our neighbours grandchildren, instructed to cut off one of her legs each Sunday as a countdown until Easter. I am not sure if this is a very Christian way to treat the paper lady but we agreed.