The History of Lagana.

Lagana is the lenten flat bread that is traditionally eaten on Clean Monday,which

is the first day of the 40-day Greek Orthodox Lent . Lagana is never cut with a

knife but rather broken apart , because iron was believed to contain the power of evil . It is thought that the word might be

the precursor to the flat , wide pasta shape , lasagna.

The history of Lagana runs throughout our food tradition from ancient times till today . Aristophanes

in “ Ecckesiazuase ” says:

“Lagana Petta “ i.e. “Laganas are made “ and Horace in his documents mentions the lagana as “The dessert of the poor”. Also it was used by Israelites during the night of the Great Exodus

from Egypt under the leadership of Moses.

A typical example of Lagana is the one in the shape of a lady called “ Mrs Lent “ .It represents a tall woman without a mouth as she doesn’t eat.

The custom of Lagana remains unchanged over the centuries and is prepared and consumed on Clean Monday.

1st EPAL of Ierapetra

Argicutural Class

Nandia Kritikaki Marios Verikokakis Katia Giannakidi Thothoris Grammatikakis Esmeralda Pjetri Giannis Paterakis