Clean Monday is on March 3, 2025 this year. Clean Monday, known as "Kathara Deftera" in Greek, marks the beginning of the Great Lent in the Orthodox Christian tradition. It is a significant day for spiritual and physical purification. Falling forty days before Palm Sunday, Clean Monday ushers in a period of fasting where Orthodox Christians abstain from non-fasting foods, such as meat, dairy, and eggs, as they prepare for Easter. The day is often associated with kite flying, symbolizing the lifting of the soul and the cleansing of the spirit. Families gather to enjoy a meal of primarily vegetables, unleavened bread, and seafood, reflecting the Lenten dietary restrictions. Clean Monday is both a spiritual and communal event, emphasizing renewal, reflection, and a fresh start for the faithful in their journey through Lent.