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Clean Monday 2026 in Greece

23 February
Clean Monday Greece Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Dates of Clean Monday in Greece

2026Feb 23
2025Mar 3
2024Mar 18

Related Holidays in Greece

Greece Holiday Calendars

Clean Monday marks the beginning of Great Lent in Greece and is a day of spiritual cleansing, reflection, and renewal. Families gather outdoors to enjoy vegetarian meals and fly kites, blending religious tradition with joyful spring customs.

Clean Monday: A Public Holiday?

Clean Monday is a public holiday in Greece, with schools, government offices, and most businesses closed as families mark the beginning of Lent through traditional customs and shared meals.

Clean Monday table shows Lenten dishes, lagana bread, and a colorful paper kite, blending Greek tradition with festive spring spirit.
A colorful Clean Monday table in Greece features traditional Lenten foods and a festive kite, welcoming the start of Lent with flavor and joy. (Image credit: iStock)

Clean Monday

Clean Monday, or Kathara Deftera, marks the beginning of Great Lent in the Greek Orthodox Church. It falls 48 days before Easter Sunday and follows the end of the carnival season. The name "Clean Monday" reflects the spiritual cleansing that begins on this day, as people prepare for the holy period of fasting, repentance, and renewal. The day emphasizes leaving behind sinful behaviors and beginning Lent with a clean heart and mind.

The origins of Clean Monday go back to early Christian traditions, where believers would dedicate the day to prayer, humility, and purification. Over time, it also became a cultural event in Greece, blending religious values with joyful customs. While the spiritual meaning remains at its core, the day has grown into a national celebration of togetherness, simplicity, and reflection. It reminds people of the balance between the body and soul, as well as the importance of starting Lent with peace, forgiveness, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Observance of Clean Monday in Greece

Clean Monday is celebrated across Greece with a mix of religious devotion and cheerful outdoor traditions. Many people begin the day by attending church services that focus on the themes of forgiveness, renewal, and spiritual preparation. Afterward, families and friends gather for outdoor meals, often in nature, parks, or hillsides. These gatherings feature a special type of fasting food, free of meat and dairy, with dishes like olives, taramasalata, pickled vegetables, and the traditional lagana bread.

One of the most symbolic customs of the day is kite flying. Children and adults alike take part in flying colorful kites, a joyful tradition that symbolizes letting go of worldly concerns and lifting one's spirit. The skies fill with kites of all shapes and sizes, creating a festive and hopeful atmosphere. It is a moment that brings communities together and connects generations through shared joy and tradition.

Clean Monday is important not only for its spiritual meaning but also for the way it blends faith, family, and nature. It encourages people to start the Lenten season with gratitude, simplicity, and awareness of both body and soul. The day offers a fresh start rooted in Greek Orthodox faith, while also celebrating life, togetherness, and the beauty of the changing season.

Clean Monday Observances

YearDateWeekdayNameHoliday Type
2024Mar 18MonClean MondayGovernment Holiday
2025Mar 3MonClean MondayGovernment Holiday
2026Feb 23MonClean MondayGovernment Holiday
2027Mar 15MonClean MondayGovernment Holiday
2028Feb 28MonClean MondayGovernment Holiday

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