Green Monday. More properly known as Clean Monday. A religious but also civic holiday in Cyprus, (and not to be confused with the much more recent name for the second Monday in December, supposed busiest shopping day before Christmas). It’s the first day of Lent in the Eastern Church, which follows the Julian calendar, and as such is a fast day - of sorts. Meat, eggs and dairy products are not eaten by the observant today and throughout Lent. The Cypriots have managed to turn the first day of a fast into a celebration, though. No meat or fish or dairy, but wonderful salads, and seafood not only permitted but traditional.
Wine and beer always allowed on feast days. Thus the Cyprus Mail notes “Police were on the lookout for drink-driving, as Green Monday coincided with the conclusion of the carnival in Limassol...from Friday afternoon to Monday evening 140 motorists were booked across the island for driving under the influence of alcohol”. No comment on how this compares with a typical weekend. (Population of the Republic of Cyprus - the South - close to 1.2 million).
Green Monday means family gatherings, most often in the countryside or at beaches. Barbecues usually feature, and kite flying is a tradition. We have picnicked at the beach at points in the past, once with a kite Maggi had acquired, but cook at home this year. Stuffed peppers, and not precisely vegetarian either, as there’s a little lountza (smoked pork tenderloin) in the filling.