Greeks celebrate start of lent

Families across Greece celebrated the end of the carnival season and the start of Lent on Monday, exchanging wishes for health and prosperity.


Clean Monday (Kathara Deytera in Greek) is a public holiday here, marking the 40 day countdown to Easter for Greece Orthodox Christians.

Traditionally the day is celebrated with picnics with family and friends, open air parties with dance-music performances organized by municipalities as well as kite flying for kids.

According to tradition, over the next six weeks, faithful Greeks will not consume meat, eggs and dairy products to "clean their body and soul" for Easter.

Although many Greeks nowadays do not fast for the 40 days to Easter, most people observe the custom on Clean Monday and enjoy special dishes based on seafood, "lagana" bread which is baked only on this day, and many other delicacies.
 (chinamedia)
 20/2/18