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• What does Tsiknopempti mean?

• What is Tsiknopempti in Greece and Cyprus?

• Why do Greeks celebrate Tsiknopempti?

• When is Tsiknopempti?

• Why is Tsiknopempti on a Thursday?

• When is Kathara Deftera? When is Clean Monday or G …

• When is Orthodox Easter? When is Greek Easter?

What does Tsiknopempti mean?

To explain Tsiknopempti, let’s first look at what the word means.

It’s formed of two words: tsikna, meaning the smoke/smell of barbecued meat + Pempti, meaning Thursday. Together, it’s best translated as ‘smokey Thursday’. Τσικνοπέμπτη in Greek.

What is Tsiknopempti in Greece and Cyprus?

It’s literally the Thursday of barbecued meat in Greece and Cyprus.

Wherever you go, you are absolutely not going to avoid the sight and smell of barbecued meat even if you tried. 

Greeks will gather for a substantial dinner, if they aren’t already spending the day drinking (alcohol) and eating (meat), which, when combined with heavy inhalation of tsiknes (BBQ smoke), can lead to some pretty serious headaches [dizzy emoji]. 

There’ll be souvles – i.e. whole sheep, lambs and goats on the spit or chunks of meat on the spit – souvlakia, kokoretsi, and a plethora of other Greek & Cypriot meat-based dishes cooked in restaurants, the streets, and people’s homes. The dishes will vary based on where you are, both across Greece and Cyprus and by region. 

Why do Greeks celebrate Tsiknopempti?

The reason for an occasion of such heavy meat consumption is the period of Lent that follows. While the English rid their cupboards by eating pancakes on pancake day, Greeks mark the occasion by using up all of their meat on Tsiknopempti.

Despite our focus on meat, it’s important to remember that fasting is a crucial part of Orthodoxy and, therefore, Greek and Cypriot culture. The 40 day period before Orthodox Easter is also inextricably associated with fasting. The religious and disciplined will abstain from consuming meat, fish and dairy in this period, or for a shorter period closer to Easter.

When is Tsiknopempti?

This year, Tsiknopempti falls on Thursday 7th March. It’s usually a week and a half before Kathara Deftera, aka Clean Monday, which marks the start of Lent. 

Why is Tsiknopempti on a Thursday?

Tsiknopempti, as the name suggests, always takes place on a Thursday because Wednesdays and Fridays are traditionally days of fasting in the Orthodox tradition.

When is Kathara Deftera? When is Clean Monday or Green Monday?

This year, Kathara Deftera is on Monday 18th March.

When is Orthodox Easter? When is Greek Easter?

Greek Easter Sunday is on Sunday 5th May in 2024.

How you can get involved:

What are your favourite Tsiknopempti experiences and memories? Reply to this email with a few words (pictures also welcome) – the best will feature on the Kebabination newsletter this Thursday!

With love & good company,
Alex @ Kebabination