Ash Monday is the day Greek Orthodox Christians begin a 40-day fast, until Easter Sunday, the day of the Resurrection.
Every year on Ash Monday in the town of Yeryeri, 40 kilometers (aprox. 25 miles) south of Heraklion, Crete, a custom with strong elements of Dionysiac worship, takes place. It is called "Apokrigiomata", meaning, the end of meat consumption.
Those participating in the festivities are dressed in uniforms inspired by Ancient Greece and demonstrate phallic-shaped objects as they drink and dance all day long.
A man dressed as an “Arkoudiaris” prepares to drink raki, traditional drink of Crete, during the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
A man is pinned down by an “Arkoudiaris” during the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
A man dressed as the “bride”, acts sexual acts with a man dressed as an ox, at the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
Two men dressed as oxen “clash” with each other , at the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
A man dressed as the “groom” participates at the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
People dressed as sheep dance around, during the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
A child dressed as a satire pours raki, the traditional drink of Crete, in a cup, at the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
A woman drinks raki, the traditional drink of Crete, from the penis of a satire, during the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
A man dressed as the “bride” reacts during the festivities of Clean Monday, in the village of Yeryeri, Crete, Greece, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.
