Clean Monday: Lenten Customs, Traditions, and Foods

In keeping with the modified Julian calendar followed by the Orthodox Christian church, the Greek Orthodox Great Lent begins on Monday, February 19th, seven weeks before Orthodox Easter (which will be celebrated this year on April 8th).

The first day of lent, Kathari Theftera (Clean Monday), is a public holiday in Greece, a day when families take to the countryside and beaches for picnics and kite-flying. Most will be enjoying the traditional foods of the day, including lagana, a bread that is eaten only on this day.

To create a traditional meal, I've put together information and recipes for a menu for Clean Monday.

Have a favorite dish for Clean Monday or a special lenten dish to recommend? Let us know on the Greek Food forum.

More about Greek Orthodox Lent & Easter:

• The Greek Orthodox Lent
• Lenten Recipes
• Greek Easter: Food and Traditions
• Glossary of Words & Terms Related to Lent and Easter

_{Photo of Aghios Minas © J. Stanfield}