Orthodox Fasting Calendar 2026
In 2026 Great Lent runs from 23 February 2026 to 11 April 2026 (Easter 12 April), the Apostles’ Fast 8 June – 28 June, the Dormition Fast 1–14 August and the Nativity Fast 15 November – 24 December — 184 fast days in all.
| Fast | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| ✝️ Great Lent | 23 February – 11 April | 48 |
| ⛵ The Apostles' (Peter and Paul) Fast | 8 June – 28 June | 21 |
| 🌸 The Dormition Fast | 1 August – 14 August | 14 |
| ⭐ The Nativity (Christmas) Fast | 15 November – 24 December | 40 |
- Meatfare Memorial Saturday14 February
- Meatfare Sunday (last day for meat)15 February
- Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday22 February
- Clean Monday — Great Lent begins23 February
- Palm Sunday5 April
- Orthodox Easter12 April
- Cherry Memorial Saturday30 May
- Pentecost31 May
- All Saints' Sunday7 June
- Archangel's Memorial Saturday7 November
2026 fast days by month
Legend
- No fast
No fasting — all foods are allowed.
- No meat
Cheesefare week before Lent: no meat, but fish, eggs, cheese and milk are allowed.
- Fish
No meat, dairy or eggs; fish, oil and wine are allowed.
- Oil
Plant food cooked with oil, and wine; no fish.
- Strict
Plant food without oil (and no wine).
- No food
Nothing is eaten; the infirm and elderly may have bread and water.
An outlined day is a memorial Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Orthodox fasts in 2026?
Great Lent: 23 February 2026 – 11 April 2026. The Apostles' (Peter and Paul) Fast: 8 June – 28 June. The Dormition Fast: 1–14 August. The Nativity (Christmas) Fast: 15 November – 24 December. Wednesdays and Fridays and 5 January, 29 August and 14 September are fast days too.
How many fast days are there in 2026?
184 in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar — most of them in the months of Great Lent and the Nativity Fast.
When is Orthodox Easter 2026?
Orthodox Easter 2026 is on 12 April 2026. Great Lent begins 48 days earlier, on Clean Monday, 23 February 2026.
When are the memorial Saturdays in 2026?
Meatfare Memorial Saturday — 14 February 2026; Cherry Memorial Saturday — 30 May 2026; Archangel's Memorial Saturday — 7 November 2026.