Orthodox Fasting Days February 2026
February 2026 has 8 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Great Lent from 23 to 28 February. Wednesdays and Fridays outside the fast: 11 and 13 February — fish allowed. Strict fast (no oil): 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 February. Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 4 and 6 February (the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee).
| Day | Fast | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sun | No fast | |
| 2 Mon | No fast | Fast-free week — the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee |
| 3 Tue | No fast | Fast-free week — the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee |
| 4 Wed | No fast | Fast-free week — the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee |
| 5 Thu | No fast | Fast-free week — the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee |
| 6 Fri | No fast | Fast-free week — the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee |
| 7 Sat | No fast | Fast-free week — the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee |
| 8 Sun | No fast | |
| 9 Mon | No fast | |
| 10 Tue | No fast | |
| 11 Wed | Fish | |
| 12 Thu | No fast | |
| 13 Fri | Fish | |
| 14 Sat | No fast | Meatfare Memorial Saturday |
| 15 Sun | No fast | Meatfare Sunday — last day for meat |
| 16 Mon | No meat | Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 17 Tue | No meat | Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 18 Wed | No meat | Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 19 Thu | No meat | Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 20 Fri | No meat | Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 21 Sat | No meat | Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 22 Sun | No meat | Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday · Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 23 Mon | Strict | Clean Monday — Great Lent begins · Great Lent |
| 24 Tue | Strict | Great Lent |
| 25 Wed | Strict | Great Lent |
| 26 Thu | Strict | Great Lent |
| 27 Fri | Strict | Great Lent |
| 28 Sat | Oil | Great Lent |
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 February 2026?
February 2026 has 8 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Great Lent from 23 to 28 February. Wednesdays and Fridays outside the fast: 11 and 13 February — fish allowed. Strict fast (no oil): 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 February. Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 4 and 6 February (the week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee).
On which days is fish allowed in February 2026?
Fish is allowed on 11 and 13 February. In Cheesefare week (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 February) fish, eggs and dairy are all allowed — only meat is not.
Is there a strict fast in February 2026?
Yes: a strict fast without oil on 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 February.
When is the memorial Saturday in February 2026?
Meatfare Memorial Saturday falls on Saturday 14 February 2026.
When is the next fast?
The Apostles' (Peter and Paul) Fast begins on 8 June 2026 and lasts 21 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.