Clean Monday

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

Clean Monday — the beginning of Lent among Orthodox Christians — is the day Greeks fly kites (which are symbolic of the Resurrection).

Carnival celebrations in Greece, or "Apokries," are some of the most beloved traditions in the country, and are reaching their climax this weekend. Celebrated before the period of Great Lent, or "Sarakosti," begins, Apokries allow revelers to partake in all...

Lagana, halvas, and taramas, known as “the Koulouma,” are the official foods of the first day of Lent in Greece, known as "Clean Monday."

As we all know, this year's festivities which would have been part of Carnival weekend and Clean Monday have been banned across Greece due to the COVID19 Coronavirus outbreak. However, faithful to centuries' old tradition, millions of Greeks are ready...

The spread of the coronavirus in Europe is not discouraging the Greek people, who are all set to participate in this year's Carnival season, or “Apokries.” Cities and towns throughout the country have made ready for the colorful festivities which...

Clean Monday, the day that brings the carnival season to a close was full of celebrations all across Greece, turning the country into one giant party. Aside from traditional carnival parades with floats and thousands of dancers in Patras, Xanthi,...

For Greek Orthodox Christians, Clean Monday marks the beginning of the 40-day fast before Easter; tradition dictates that the faithful start abstaining from eating animal products and fly a kite. Clean Monday is a cleansing of the body in preparation...

Greece is a country full of cultural and religious traditions - and one celebration which is a bit of both is Clean Monday or "Kathari Deftera. Let's take a look at some of the ways that Greeks celebrate one...

Here's a traditional recipe fro the delicious Greek desert Halva with Semolina. Ingredients 250ml sunflower oil 14oz – 400gr semolina flour 5lb – 700gr sugar 1 Liter water Method: In a pot pour water (1lt), sugar (1.5lbs) and boil for 4...