Better than Valentine’s.

Pork *kontosouvli*, lamb *païdakia* (chops), with *kreatopita* (meat pie).

What does Tsiknopempti mean?

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

It’s a compound word, 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.

One theory is that tsikna comes from the Homeric word used to describe the smoke and the smell that came from cooking sacrificial meat, which was intended to reach as high as the Gods and please them (κνίσσα).

What is Tsiknopempti in Greece and Cyprus?

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

There’ll be souvles – i.e. meat on the spit – souvlakia, païdakia and brizoles (chops) and a plethora of other grilled meat dishes. People might cook at home, in their garden or on their balcony, or simply head out to a taverna, while cooking will take place alongside events in public spaces during the day.

Wherever you go, you are absolutely not going to avoid the sight and smell of barbecued meat even if you tried. Which, to be honest, is like most days. Except, as you’re about to read, this is the day especially dedicated to it – and for good reason…

So Why do Greeks celebrate Tsiknopempti?

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

Despite our focus on meat, it’s important to remember that fasting is a fundamental aspect of Orthodoxy, Christianity 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.

Given the religious and cultural importance of Tsiknopempti, you’ll also see orchestras performing in main squares, sometimes accompanied by mass barbecues. In 2025, the Municipality of Athens offered 1 tonne of souvlakia for free to the public by Varvakeios Central Market.

When is Tsiknopempti?

This year (2025), Tsiknopempti falls on Thursday 20th February. It’s 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 (2025), Kathara Deftera is on Monday 3rd March. You could say that this is the opposite of Tsiknopempti: a day dedicated to eating non-meat based dishes and a kind of ancient Greek bread called lagana.

When is Orthodox Easter? When is Greek Easter this year?

Greek Easter Sunday is on Sunday 20th April in 2025. Both the Orthodox and Catholic Church celebrate Easter on the same day this year – it usually varies.

What is Tsiknopempti & When is it?