Kathara Deftera is one of the most significant Greek traditions filled with festivities, rituals, and other unique customs. It’s a holiday with quite a colorful and is highly anticipated each year in Greece.
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Kathara Deftera Definition & Meaning
Kathara Deftera which translates to “Clean Monday” is a religious holiday in Greece that marks the first day of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church’s Great Lent—a week-long feast that starts in the 7th week preceding Orthodox Easter Sunday.
Kathara Deftera is a public holiday observed by Greek Catholics and is regarded as a period of cleansing for both body and mind.
When Is Kathara Deftera?
Kathara Deftera is celebrated every year on the 6th Monday preceding Palm Sunday which is also the 7th Monday before Easter Sunday. In 2023, Kathara Deftera will be observed on February 27.
Kathara Deftera History
Kathara Deftera is among the longest traditions and celebrations in Greece. Though it’s unclear what exact year or time period it was first celebrated, it’s believed that it’s rooted in Anthesphoria—an ancient Greek festival that celebrates Persophene’s return to Earth from the Underworld and is filled with music and flowers. Nowadays, Kathara Deftera is celebrated as a day of cleansing to prepare for the Great Lent.
Kathara Deftera Purpose, Importance
Every religious celebration or tradition is ingrained in the culture of the people that observe them, and the same applies to Kathara Deftera for the Greeks. This annual observance has a deep purpose and importance that enlivens the spirit of the people of Greece.
Spiritual Cleansing
Cleansing the body and mind is at the heart of Kathara Deftera; hence the name Clean Monday. On this day, Greeks who practice Christianity refrain from sinful activities and avoid non-fasting foods such as red meat after having done so during the three-week Carnival season. The reason behind the cleansing is to have a pure and clean spirit throughout the Great Lent all the way to Easter Sunday.
Start of Fasting
Fasting is a core tradition of Kathara Deftera. In fact, it marks the start of the Sarakosti which is a 40-day fasting period in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Greeks will avoid eating lavishly and their meals will mostly be vegetarian recipes and simple culinary dishes.
Feast with Friends and Family
Kathara Deftera is a public holiday in all of Greece which means schools and offices will be closed. That being said, it’s an ideal day for Greeks to spend time with friends and family by feasting together. During the celebration, they’ll be eating foods good for fasting and doing other engaging outdoor activities.
What’s in Kathara Deftera?
Kathara Deftera is a festive day in Greece. The Greeks celebrate it by organizing feasts, bonding with loved ones, engaging in outdoor activities such as traditional kite flying, attending folk music concerts, dining in restaurants serving fasting foods, watching parades, and participating in other related public events.
How to Create a Kathara Deftera Social Media Post
Writing blogs about Kathara Deftera would be a great method to promote or express excitement for this holiday, but it can take time. A simpler and quicker approach would be to create and share Kathara Deftera social media posts.
1. Use the Kathara Deftera FB Post Template.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a travel enthusiast who loves Greek culture, you’ll like the Kathar Deftera FB Post as your Facebook template. Its ready-made aesthetic was designed to capture the feel of the holiday so all you need to do is make some minor tweaks. Begin editing it by clicking the blue “Edit This Template” button.
2. Write your sweet Kathara Deftera greeting.
A holiday social media post will be lifeless without a greeting or a message of best wishes. With that in mind, make sure to write your Kathara Deftera greeting in the template. To do that, head to the Fill tab of the Editor page and write your greeting in the Fill Text boxes; just change the existing content and consider other font styles as well.
3. Consider other background colors.
You can use your favorite color as the background of your Kathara Deftera FB post image. Open the Background tab of the Editor page and browse the color options under the Colors section. By clicking the icon of your favorite color, it’ll immediately apply as the background color of the FB post draft.
4. Insert more beautiful graphics.
There’s no need to study graphic design to understand that graphics can elevate the visuals of an illustration. So to make your post even more beautiful, insert additional graphics found in the Graphics tab of the Editor page. There are plenty of choices available and you simply click, drag, and drop your selected graphic.
5. Save or download your finished Kathara Deftera FB post image.
Save or download your custom FB post image once you’re done personalizing it. Click the button in the upper right corner and click Save or click the blue Download button. Your post is ready for uploading this coming Kathara Deftera in February.
1. Open the Kathara Deftera Instagram Post Template.
The Kathara Deftera Instagram Post Template possesses Instagrammable features. It has a well-designed layout that’s easily customizable on the Editor page. With this, you can impress your followers with a custom Instagram post, so start customizing it by selecting the “Edit This Template” button.
2. Customize the text content of the template.
The text content of this template is editable. To customize it, head to the Fill tab of the Editor page and write your unique Kathara Deftera greeting and message in the Fill Text boxes. The written content will then appear on the template with a stylized font.
3. Upload a related photo as a background.
A photo captured with high-level photography techniques would greatly improve the aesthetics of your Instagram post. You can upload one to be used as the background. Just open the Background tab of the Editor page, select See All in the Photos section, head to Uploads, and click the “Upload Your File” button. Once your custom photo is uploaded, a preview of it will appear on the tab; just click it so it applies as the background image.
4. Insert lively graphics.
You can sprinkle your Instagram post draft with more graphics. Explore the Graphics tab and use the search bar to find specific illustrations. Make sure to insert graphics that are festive and in line with the vibe of Kathara Deftera.
5. Keep your Kathara Deftera Instagram post custom image.
Click Save or Download when you’re finished. And for now, keep your custom Kathara Deftera Instagram post. Wait until the day of Katahara Deftera to upload it to Instagram.
1. Take advantage of the Kathara Deftera Whatsapp Post Template.
For Whatsapp users, the Kathara Deftera Whatsapp Post Template is a great foundation to craft an attractive post celebrating the occasion. If you’re on Whatsapp, feel free to click the “Edit This Template” button and use it as your own.
2. Write your very own Kathara Deftera message.
Your Kathara Deftera message is the heart of the Whatsapp post. Write it in the Fill Text boxes found in the Fill tab of the Editor page. You may also choose not to make any changes to the template’s existing text content if it’s to your liking already.
3. Upload and insert your personalized logo.
You can solidify your personalization of the template by inserting your personal brand logo. To upload it, go to the Logo tab of the Editor page and click the “Upload Your File” button. When the image file of your logo is uploaded, just click, drag, and drop it to a specific spot in the template.
4. Explore the background design options.
The Editor page gives you multiple options to customize the background. Open the Background tab to explore them. You can choose to upload custom images, select free online photos, or insert graphics offered by the Editor tool.
5. Save and keep your custom Kathara Deftera Whatsapp post image.
Don’t forget to save once you’re done polishing everything. Keep your custom Whatsapp image post for now in your personal storage. Upload it soon when the day of Kathara Deftera arrives.
Kathara Deftera vs. Milad un-Nabi
Kathara Deftera is a Greek public holiday that is observed as a day marking the start of a cleansing period and a 40-day fasting.
Milad un-Nabi is a religious holiday observed by Muslims in celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad who founded Islam.
Kathara Deftera Ideas & Examples
Kathara Deftera illustrations and digital artwork are sights to behold in celebration of this holiday. Some artists and art lovers check out Kathara Deftera ideas and examples both for reference and viewing pleasure.
Kathara Deftera Banner Ideas & Examples
Kathara Deftera banners are excellent marketing material for businesses looking to promote their offers during this festive religious event.
Kathara Deftera Vector Background Ideas & Examples
Bread is a good choice of food for Kathara Deftera feasts, which is why it’s the main focus of the design of this Kathara Deftera Vector Background.
Kathara Deftera Photo Background Ideas & Examples
For those looking for background photos for their Kathara Deftera posters, a sample like the Kathara Deftera Photo Background would be a fitting choice.
Kathara Deftera Image Background Ideas & Examples
There are plenty of editions of Kathara Deftera photo backgrounds, and among the best is this Kathara Deftera Image Background.
Kathara Deftera Design Background Ideas & Examples
The beautiful Kathara Deftera Design Background also features an attractive illustration of bread—a good design motif befitting the occasion.
Kathara Deftera Website Banner Ideas & Examples
Restaurant businesses can certainly make good use of the Kathara Deftera Website Banner to promote their holiday discounts on their websites.
Kathara Deftera Drawing Background Ideas & Examples
The Kathara Deftera Drawing Background makes for a good wallpaper for desktop computers and smartphones to mark the start of the celebrations.
Kathara Deftera Cartoon Background Ideas & Examples
Cartoons are appealing to both kids and adults which means the Kathara Deftera Cartoon Background is made for people of all ages.
Kathara Deftera Banner Background Ideas & Examples
Marketing banners with a Kathara Deftera motif are perfect matches with the Kathara Deftera Banner Background.
Kathara Deftera FB Post Ideas & Examples
Facebook users can quickly and easily express their love for the holiday with the Kathara Deftera FB Post.
Kathara Deftera FAQs
Why do we celebrate Kathara Deftera?
The Greeks celebrate Kathara Deftera to end the carnival season and begin preparations for Orthodox Easter.
What happens on Kathara Deftera?
There are many events that’ll be taking place on Kathara Deftera such as dances, folk music concerts, outdoor picnics, fasting food feasts with friends and family, and kite flying.
What is the lent period of Kathara Deftera?
The lent period of Kathara Deftera is called the Great Lent or Sarakosti which is a 40-day period of fasting.
Is Kathara Deftera a public holiday?
Yes, Greece celebrates Kathara Deftera as a public holiday; that means schools, government offices, and some businesses will be closed on that day.
Why do we fly kites on Kathara Deftera?
The Greeks engage in kite flying activities on Kathara Deftera because they believe it is a symbol of one’s soul soaring to the sky as a way of getting closer to God.
What is so special about Kathara Deftera?
Kathara Deftera is a special Greek holiday because it marks the beginning of Sarakotsi or Lent and it’s a day of cleansing for body, mind, and soul.
How long does Kathara Deftera last?
Kathara Deftera is celebrated for only a day, but it doesn’t feel like it because it marks the start of a 40-day fasting period.
What is the significance of Kathara Deftera?
Kathara Deftera marks the first day of Lent for the Greeks, and it’s a public holiday which means they get to spend time with family and do fun activities such as kite flying, dancing, and going on picnics.
How do people celebrate Kathara Deftera?
People in Greece celebrate Kathara Deftera by doing outdoor activities, eating fasting foods, and flying kites.
What is the message of Kathara Deftera?
The message of Kathara Deftera is the importance of cleansing the body and mind of sinful things and being pure.