Clean Monday

**Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) in Greece** Clean Monday, known as *Kathara Deftera* in Greek, marks the beginning of Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition and is a public holiday in Greece. Celebrated 48 days before Easter, it symbolizes spiritual cleansing and the start of a period of fasting, reflection, and preparation for Easter. The day is characterized by outdoor activities, festive gatherings, and the consumption of specific Lenten foods, as meat, dairy, and fish are avoided. Traditional foods include *lagana* (a flatbread), *taramasalata* (fish roe dip), olives, vegetables, and seafood like calamari and shrimp. Families and friends often fly kites, a symbolic act representing the soul's ascent to heaven, and enjoy picnics in nature. Clean Monday is a joyful yet meaningful holiday that blends religious observance with cultural traditions, emphasizing renewal, community, and the arrival of spring.