LADY LENT (
Greek custom)
Another tradition related to “ Clean Monday” is Lady
Lent.
The lady of the house bakes a bread in the shape of a
lady who has seven legs ( as many weeks as there are in Lent.)
On her forehead there is a cross, the symbol of
Christianity, her hands are folded over in a prayer, and she does not have a
mouth because she fasts, just like Christ did.
This strange little bread is called Lady Lent or in
Greek Κυρά Σαρακοστή. Once it
is baked, it is put near the icon center in the home and every Sunday that
passes during Lent, a leg is removed. This is used as a calendar to count down
to Pascha ( Easter). The last leg is removed on Holy Saturday.
Every year school classes construct a Lady Lent out of
poster board and the students all participate in decorating her.
Popi Chantzi, Greece
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