Clean Monday in Rhodes: How the Island Welcomes Lent

In Rhodes, Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) is more than a religious observance—it is a day deeply connected to nature, family gatherings, and local tradition. Across Greece, this day is celebrated by customs that have remained largely unchanged over time. Passed down from generation to generation, they form a living part of faith, history, and cultural heritage. On Rhodes Island, from coastal and mountain villages to Rhodes Town, locals celebrate Clean Monday with fasting foods, kite flying, and excursions into the countryside, keeping customs alive just as our ancestors did.

Clean Monday as a Public Holiday and the beginning of Great Lent

Clean Monday is a major religious milestone and public holiday for Greeks. It takes place on the first Monday after Carnival Sunday and symbolizes both spiritual and physical purification.

It marks the beginning of Great Lent (Sarakosti)—the 40-day fasting period leading up to Easter Sunday, mirroring the forty days of fasting observed by Christ. As Easter is a movable feast, the date of Clean Monday changes each year accordingly. For 2026, Kathara Deftera falls on February 23.

In many parts of Greece, including Rhodes, celebrating Clean Monday outdoors—often with food, family, and friends—is known as “Koulouma.”

Rhodian Clean Monday Table – Local Fasting Dishes

The Lenten table in Rhodes reflects both Greek Orthodox traditions and the island’s close relationship with the sea. Typical foods include taramosalata, olives and pickled vegetables, beans and other legumes, and halva for dessert. Seafood such as octopus, calamari, and shrimp is also especially popular, particularly in coastal areas where fresh catches are readily available.

Lagana – The Bread of Clean Monday

A key element of the day is Lagana, a traditional flatbread that is baked exclusively for Clean Monday and cannot be found at any other time of the year. Local bakeries begin preparing Lagana days in advance. It is a white, unleavened bread topped with sesame seeds and symbolises the bread eaten by the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt under the guidance of Moses.

Kite Flying in Rhodes – Sea, Wind & Open Skies

Kite flying is one of the most beloved Clean Monday traditions on the island. Thanks to Rhodes’ open landscapes and steady winds, the island offers ideal conditions for this custom, with popular kite-flying areas including coastal plains near the sea, open countryside near villages, and fields outside Rhodes Town like Monte Smith Hill.

For Greeks, flying a kite symbolizes the spiritual ascent of the soul toward God, but it is also a joyful, communal activity that brings generations together, as children and grandparents alike can be seen flying kites side by side while colorful kites dot the island’s sky.

Kyra Sarakosti in Rhodian Homes

Although less visible today, the tradition of Kyra Sarakosti is still remembered in Rhodian households, particularly in villages. Made from dough, this symbolic female figure helps children understand the duration and meaning of Lent. In some families, the final leg of Kyra Sarakosti still hides a small local sweet, linking faith with gentle celebration and anticipation of Easter.

A Shared Message of Faith & Unity

While small variations in customs may exist from place to place, the core message of Clean Monday remains the same throughout Greece. It represents spiritual unity, reflection, and preparation, marking the beginning of the Orthodox Christian journey toward the Resurrection.

In Rhodes, Kathara Deftera, as we call it, is not only a religious holiday but also a deeply rooted cultural experience—one that brings families together, connects the present with the past, and keeps tradition alive through shared rituals, flavors, and faith.