Orthodox Fasting Days April 2026
April 2026 has 14 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Great Lent from 1 to 11 April. Wednesdays and Fridays outside the fast: 22, 24 and 29 April — fish allowed. During the fast, fish is allowed on 5 April. Strict fast (no oil): 6, 7, 8 and 11 April. Nothing is eaten on Good Friday (10 April). Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 15 and 17 April (Bright Week after Easter).
| Day | Fast | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Wed | Oil | Great Lent |
| 2 Thu | Oil | Great Lent |
| 3 Fri | Oil | Great Lent |
| 4 Sat | Oil | Lazarus Saturday · Great Lent |
| 5 Sun | Fish | Palm Sunday · Great Lent |
| 6 Mon | Strict | Holy Week |
| 7 Tue | Strict | Holy Week |
| 8 Wed | Strict | Holy Week |
| 9 Thu | Oil | Holy Thursday · Holy Week |
| 10 Fri | No food | Good Friday · Holy Week |
| 11 Sat | Strict | Holy Saturday · Holy Week |
| 12 Sun | No fast | Easter (Pascha) |
| 13 Mon | No fast | Fast-free week — Bright Week after Easter |
| 14 Tue | No fast | Fast-free week — Bright Week after Easter |
| 15 Wed | No fast | Fast-free week — Bright Week after Easter |
| 16 Thu | No fast | Fast-free week — Bright Week after Easter |
| 17 Fri | No fast | Fast-free week — Bright Week after Easter |
| 18 Sat | No fast | Fast-free week — Bright Week after Easter |
| 19 Sun | No fast | |
| 20 Mon | No fast | |
| 21 Tue | No fast | |
| 22 Wed | Fish | |
| 23 Thu | No fast | |
| 24 Fri | Fish | |
| 25 Sat | No fast | |
| 26 Sun | No fast | |
| 27 Mon | No fast | |
| 28 Tue | No fast | |
| 29 Wed | Fish | |
| 30 Thu | 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 April 2026?
April 2026 has 14 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Great Lent from 1 to 11 April. Wednesdays and Fridays outside the fast: 22, 24 and 29 April — fish allowed. During the fast, fish is allowed on 5 April. Strict fast (no oil): 6, 7, 8 and 11 April. Nothing is eaten on Good Friday (10 April). Wednesday/Friday is not kept on 15 and 17 April (Bright Week after Easter).
On which days is fish allowed in April 2026?
Fish is allowed on 5, 22, 24 and 29 April.
Is there a strict fast in April 2026?
Yes: a strict fast without oil on 6, 7, 8 and 11 April, and total abstinence on Good Friday, 10 April.
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.