Clean Monday - Kathara Deftera 2025

On Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera), Ithaca’s mountain villages, Anoghi and Perahori, come alive with a sense of renewal and community spirit, celebrating the beginning of Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition.
In Anoghi, a village perched high above the island with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, the day is marked with traditional foods and a shared sense of spirituality. The community gathers to enjoy a feast of plant-based dishes, such as lagana (the special Clean Monday flatbread), olives, taramosalata (fish roe dip), and fava (yellow split pea purée). It’s a time of connection, with music and lively conversation filling the air as villagers come together to celebrate in harmony with nature and one another.
Similarly, Perahori, located in the mountains and offering equally stunning views of the island and the Ionian Sea, holds its own Clean Monday festivities. The village, known for its beautiful stone houses and deep connection to Ithaca’s traditions, celebrates with a communal outdoor feast, where the emphasis is on foods that align with the fasting practices of Lent. Locals share laughter, music, and delicious traditional dishes, continuing the spirit of togetherness that defines Clean Monday.
Both Anoghi and Perahori, nestled in the mountains and offering serene, natural beauty, celebrate Clean Monday with joy and reverence. Though the villages are distinct, the day is celebrated with the same spirit of unity, renewal, and communal enjoyment. It’s a time to connect with nature, share food, and renew one’s spiritual commitments, all while surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Ithaca’s mountainous heart.

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