Clean Monday Celebrations

“Kathara Deftera,” Greek for Clean Monday, commences the 40-day period of the Great Lent for the Greek Orthodox Church, called “Sarakosti.”

By John Sanidopoulos* - Clean Monday -Καθαρή Δευτέρα in Greek- refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. The entire first week of Great Lent is often referred to as "Clean Week," and it is customary to go...

The Greeks in Thessaloniki celebrated the end of the carnival season on Monday and the start of Lent for Christian Easter, while a cold front was gripping most parts of the country, restricting travel. Despite bad weather, traditional lagana, other...