Definition: Kathari deftera comes from the Greek words kathari, the root of which meansg pure or "clean", especially in a spiritual sense, and deftera, the second, which means - Monday, the "second" day of the week as Sunday, kyriakos or "the Lord's day" is considered to be the first day of the week.
Clean Monday is technically the first day of the 40 days of Sarakosti, "the forty", referring to the 40 days of Lent prior to Easter.
While it is part of Lent, and Lenten food restrictions are observed, it has become a family holiday with picnics and kite-flying, especially at Lycabettus Hill in Athens. Here's a typical kathari deftera menu.
"Clean" Monday has an odd counterpart in the Greek town of Tyrnavo, where clean Monday takes a decidedly "dirty" turn.
Also Known As: Clean Monday, first Monday in Lent
Alternate Spellings: kathari deutera, kathari theftera, cathari deftera,
