Clean Monday
It celebrates 48 days before Holy Easter.
Clean Monday marks the beginning of Lent for the Orthodox church, while at the same time it marks the end of Apkreos. Clean Monday was named so because Christians were “purified” spiritually and physically. It is a fasting day but also a holiday for Christians. The fast lasts for 40 days, which were the days of Christ’s fast in the desert.
On Clean Monday it is customary to eat lagana (unleavened bread made only on that day), and other fasting foods, mainly vegetables, as well as beans without oil. Kite flying is also common.
Clean Monday is celebrated 48 days before Easter Sunday.
