Clean Monday is the first day of Great Lent. The Orthodox Church prompts us to follow the path of virtue, to remain steadfast in our faith, to pray, to be merciful, and to fast. It is a way to move away from any feeling of resentment, to cultivate and practise virtue, and to be less selfish.
The importance of fasting is underestimated by many, who believe that diet is only a matter of body health. It offers many spiritual benefits as well. According to Saint Basil the Great, fasting was the first commandment God gave to Adam and Eve and that is why it is so important. Jesus Christ also spoke of fasting, but he said that the length of time of the Lent would be precisely 40 days.
Some people, however, prefer to stop slandering others, resenting their fellow human beings, and being hypocritical, rather than to stop eating certain foods. In this particular case, they are right. But if people think that they can continue to indulge their desires by eating too much food and avoiding any kind of struggle or sacrifice, then they are mistaken.
The way is open to anyone, who wants to follow the path of virtue. Anyone who wishes to follow it with faith, humility, inner peace, fasting, self-restraint, clear thoughts, good deeds, while he or she is willing to forgive their brothers and sisters for their mistakes, will be always welcome.
Source: Church of Cyprus