Major Feasts of the Orthodox Church in 2026
In 2026, the Orthodox church will celebrate 12 major feasts, of which three are movable. Easter in 2026 will be celebrated on April 12, and Palm Sunday will fall on April 5. Among the major feasts that will be celebrated are important dates such as Ascension of the Lord on May 21 and Pentecost on May 31.
According to the church calendar, the movable major feasts of 2026 include:
- April 5 (Palm Sunday)
- May 21 (Ascension of the Lord)
- May 31 (Pentecost)
The non-movable major feasts will be as follows:
- January 6 (Epiphany)
- February 2 (Presentation of the Lord)
- March 25 (Annunciation)
- August 6 (Transfiguration of the Lord)
- August 15 (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- September 8 (Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
- November 21 (Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple)
- December 25 (Christmas)
Other Important Dates and Fasts
It is also worth noting that starting from September 1, 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church have switched to the New Julian calendar, which will affect the dates of celebrations. Other significant church holidays are also planned for 2026, including January 1, June 24, June 29, August 29, October 1, November 8, November 30, and December 6.
The calendar for 2026 also includes one-day fasts such as January 5, August 29, and September 14, as well as multi-day fasts that will last from February 23 to April 11, from June 8 to June 28, from August 1 to August 14, and from November 15 to December 24. Continuous weeks will include periods from December 25, 2025, to January 4, 2026, February 10-16, February 16-22, April 13-19, and from May 26 to May 31.
Commemoration days in 2026 are scheduled for February 14, March 7, March 14, March 21, April 21, May 9, May 30, and October 24. This church calendar reflects important dates for the Orthodox community and provides believers with the opportunity to plan their worship and spiritual practices.
This calendar is an important tool for Orthodox believers, as it helps organize religious rites, fasts, and celebrations, which hold great significance in the church tradition.
The transition to the New Julian calendar also emphasizes the adaptation of Ukrainian churches to modern conditions, which may contribute to unity among different denominations and strengthen spiritual bonds among believers.