Foreigners were expelled from a public space in Limassol yesterday after locals objected to them barbecuing meat during Clean Monday, the Animal Party claimed.
Clean Monday celebrations typically feature seafood and vegetarian dishes as Orthodox Christians begin their 40-day period of spiritual and physical “cleansing” before Easter, avoiding meat products.
According to the party, the foreigners were removed from the area after local celebrants complained about the smell of cooking meat. However, the party noted that the aroma of grilled octopus, shellfish and prawns, which are permitted during the fast, caused no similar objections.
The Animal Party has asked whether the Orthodox Church considers seafood and shellfish to be categorised differently from meat in its fasting traditions.
“This day is when Christians ‘cleanse’ themselves spiritually and physically. It’s a day of fasting and detoxification. Why is this detoxification selective?” the party said in a statement.
Clean Monday, known as “Kathara Deftera” in Greek, is widely celebrated throughout Cyprus and Greece with outdoor excursions, picnics and kite-flying.
(File photo)
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