Kyra Sarakosti, Mrs. Lent or Lady Lent

Kyra Sarakosti, Mrs. Lent or Lady Lent, is a charming, old Greek custom, connected to Lent, the seven-week, (forty days) period of fasting before Easter, which, in Greek is called Sarakosti. Kyra Sarakosti, a jolly little figure, can be made from various things, paper, clay, Fabric filled with feathers, or, the most commonly seen, baked from bread or cookie dough. The most obvious characteristic of this sweet lady, are her seven legs, which are used as a type of calendar, which helps keep track of the countdown to Easter, or, seeing as meat is a no go, during Greek fasting, how many more weeks are there to endure before we can sink our teeth into that juicy Easter lamb.

Each of the seven legs represents one week of Lent and beginning on Kathara Deutera, Clean Monday (I’ll explain that to you in just a sec), until Easter, every Saturday, one of the poor soul’s legs is cut off.

n some regions of Greece, the tradition is to hide the seventh leg, the last, inside the Resurrection, or Easter bread, the lucky one who finds this last leg belonging to Kyra Sarakosti, is considered blessed.

In other regions of Greece, the seventh leg may be secreted away inside fruit, such as figs, or hidden in fruit trees, or fruit bowls. Kyra Sarakosti, a pious lady, has no mouth, which is not only a great help to her during this season of abstinence but also makes idle talk or gossip practically an impossibility.

Her arms are permanently folded in prayer, and the cross on her forehead is a constant reminder of her faith.  Lastly, Kyra Sarakosti, is missing her ears, or, if she is lucky enough to still be in possession of them, they are covered by a headscarf, all the better to block out evil, unkind and nasty talk.

In the run up to Greek Easter, you are sure to see Kyra Sarakosti, hanging around, dangling her legs, on the walls of many Greek houses.

Poem for Sarakosti, Lent

Kyra sarakosti, no mouth has she,

She neither talks nor eats.

She has no ears, she does not hear

Gossip or idle speech.

Upon her chest, her crossed hands rest,

All-day Christ she entreats.

And seven feet, no more, no less,

Has she to count the weeks.

Each Saturday we cutaway

One of her seven feet.

The last we hide someplace inside

Some fruit or nuts or treats.

The one who finds “το τυχερό»

Receive good luck in heaps!

Source: https://greekerthanthegreeks.com/