Clean Monday customs

“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...

(original story in Greek by Inga Athanasiadou) Lagana, halvas, and taramas is the food of the day on Clean Monday, or else known as “the Koulouma”. Bearing the same meaning as Ash Wednesday for the Catholics, the Greek Orthodox Day...