Orthodox Fasting Days January 2026
January 2026 has 9 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Wednesdays and Fridays: 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30 January — fish allowed. Strict fast (no oil): 5 January. Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 2 January (The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January)).
| Day | Fast | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thu | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 2 Fri | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 3 Sat | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 4 Sun | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 5 Mon | Strict | Eve of Theophany |
| 6 Tue | No fast | Theophany |
| 7 Wed | Fish | |
| 8 Thu | No fast | |
| 9 Fri | Fish | |
| 10 Sat | No fast | |
| 11 Sun | No fast | |
| 12 Mon | No fast | |
| 13 Tue | No fast | |
| 14 Wed | Fish | |
| 15 Thu | No fast | |
| 16 Fri | Fish | |
| 17 Sat | No fast | |
| 18 Sun | No fast | |
| 19 Mon | No fast | |
| 20 Tue | No fast | |
| 21 Wed | Fish | |
| 22 Thu | No fast | |
| 23 Fri | Fish | |
| 24 Sat | No fast | |
| 25 Sun | No fast | |
| 26 Mon | No fast | |
| 27 Tue | No fast | |
| 28 Wed | Fish | |
| 29 Thu | No fast | |
| 30 Fri | Fish | |
| 31 Sat | No fast |
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.
Frequently asked questions
How many fast days are there in January 2026?
January 2026 has 9 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Wednesdays and Fridays: 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30 January — fish allowed. Strict fast (no oil): 5 January. Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 2 January (The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January)).
On which days is fish allowed in January 2026?
Fish is allowed on 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30 January.
Is there a strict fast in January 2026?
Yes: a strict fast without oil on 5 January.
When is the next fast?
Great Lent begins on 23 February 2026 and lasts 48 days.
Following the general rules of the Bulgarian Orthodox Typikon for laypeople. How each person fasts is agreed with their confessor; the sick, pregnant women, children and travellers are given relief.