Clean Monday

Clean Monday, also called Pure Monday, Green Monday, or Monday of Lent, marks the first day of Great Lent in Eastern Christianity. It is a moveable feast, happening on the sixth Monday before Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday starts Holy Week right before Easter.

The name "Clean Monday" comes from the idea of cleaning or purifying the body for Great Lent. On this day, many people start a time of fasting and not eating some foods. For some, this means not eating at all until they go to church later in the week.

Although it is called "Clean Monday," it is different from Ash Wednesday in Western Christianity, where people sometimes put ashes on their heads. Only a few Eastern Catholic Churches, like the Maronite, Chaldean, and Syro-Malabar Churches, use ashes on this day. For most, it is a time for thinking about their spiritual lives and getting ready.

Date

Clean Monday is part of the paschal cycle. This means its date changes each year and depends on the date of Easter. The date can vary because different churches use different calendars. For example, Eastern Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, while Eastern Catholics use the Gregorian calendar. When Easter is on the same date in both calendars, Clean Monday is two days before Ash Wednesday, also called Shrove Monday. At other times, Clean Monday may be in a different week.

Liturgical aspects

Clean Monday starts Great Lent in Eastern Christianity. It begins the night before with a special service called Forgiveness Vespers. This service ends with a Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness. In this ceremony, people bow to each other and ask for forgiveness. This helps everyone start Lent with a clean conscience and renewed love.

During Clean Week, people often go to Confession and clean their homes thoroughly. The theme of Clean Monday comes from an Old Testament reading. This reading encourages people to turn away from wrongdoings and seek justice. This day also marks the beginning of spring. It mixes the joyful spirit of spring with the thoughtful mood of Lent. The Orthodox Church teaches that even while fasting, one should keep a cheerful heart. This is reminded by the Gospel lesson read on this day.

Observances

Orthodox Christians do not eat meat, eggs, or dairy during Lent, which begins with Clean Monday. Fish can be eaten on special feast days, but shellfish is allowed in many European traditions. This leads to many tasty dishes made from seafood like shellfish and fish roe.

Clean Monday is a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus. People often spend time outside, eat shellfish and other special fasting foods, and enjoy a special type of bread called "lagana". Many also fly kites to symbolize reaching something divine.