Clean Monday

English

Etymology

From the Old Testament reading at sext on this day, Isaiah 1:16, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil...”

Proper noun

Clean Monday

1. (Christianity) The seventh Monday before Easter, (Eastern Christianity) traditionally regarded as the beginning of Lent
   • 2010 February 10, New York Times, page D5:

     Clean Monday, a holiday in Greece, marks the start of the Lenten season.

Usage notes

In the Greek and most other denominations of Eastern Orthodoxy, the liturgical day is reckoned according to Jewish practice and so begins at the vespers service on the preceding Sunday evening.

Synonyms

• Pure Monday, Ash Monday, Monday of Lent; Green Monday (Cyprus)

Hyponyms

• Forgiveness Vespers

Related terms

• Clean Week

Translations

First day of the Orthodox Lent

• Greek: Καθαρά Δευτέρα (el) f (Kathará Deftéra)
• Russian: Чи́стый понеде́льник m (Čístyj ponedélʹnik)