Orthodox Fasting Days December 2026
December 2026 has 24 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. The Nativity (Christmas) Fast from 1 to 24 December. During the fast, fish is allowed on 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 December. Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 25 and 30 December (The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January)).
| Day | Fast | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tue | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 2 Wed | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 3 Thu | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 4 Fri | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 5 Sat | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 6 Sun | Fish | St Nicholas · The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 7 Mon | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 8 Tue | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 9 Wed | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 10 Thu | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 11 Fri | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 12 Sat | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 13 Sun | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 14 Mon | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 15 Tue | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 16 Wed | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 17 Thu | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 18 Fri | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 19 Sat | Fish | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 20 Sun | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 21 Mon | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 22 Tue | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 23 Wed | Oil | The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 24 Thu | Oil | Christmas Eve · The Nativity (Christmas) Fast |
| 25 Fri | No fast | Christmas · Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 26 Sat | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 27 Sun | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 28 Mon | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 29 Tue | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 30 Wed | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
| 31 Thu | No fast | Fast-free week — The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January) |
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 December 2026?
December 2026 has 24 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. The Nativity (Christmas) Fast from 1 to 24 December. During the fast, fish is allowed on 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 December. Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 25 and 30 December (The Christmas feast days (25 December – 4 January)).
On which days is fish allowed in December 2026?
Fish is allowed on 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 December.
Is there a strict fast in December 2026?
No — December 2026 has no strict fast days.
When is the next fast?
Great Lent begins on 15 March 2027 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.