Kathara Deftera
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Clean Monday or Kathari Deftera ( medium Greek Καθαρά Δευτέρα , modern Greek Καθαρή Δευτέρα , Pure Monday ' ) is the Greek name for the 48th day before the Orthodox Easter Sunday and marks the beginning of the forty-day pre-Easter Lent ( σαρακοστή Sarakosti ) and also the end of the Orthodox Carnival time ( απόκριες apokries ). The name comes from the intended purpose of Lent to “cleanse” Christians mentally and physically and to prepare them for Easter . The first day of fast is an official holiday in Greece , schools and shops are closed. On the part of the church, all work is prohibited, except for cleaning kitchen utensils of leftovers from meat meals. Only plant-based products and seafood may be consumed, but no eggs or dairy products, and no oil, which is only permitted on Saturdays and Sundays during Lent (except on Holy Saturday). The duration of the fast before Easter corresponds to the biblical specification of forty days which Jesus Christ is said to have spent in the desert.
Today, Kathari Deftera is usually celebrated by the Greek families either going out to eat meatless or - especially for families with children - having a picnic in the open where paper kites are let fly. It is important to let the kite ( χαρταετός chartaetos , German 'paper eagle' ) soar as high as possible, which should promise good luck for the coming year. Katharι Deftera is traditionally celebrated outdoors, it symbolizes in non-Christian tradition also the end of winter and the beginning of the new year.
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- Νεώτερον Εγκυκλοπαιδικόν Λεξικόν Ηλίου τ.3ος, σ.264