This year, April 2026, both in the old style and in the new, is one of the most important months for every Orthodox believer. It is during this period that the culmination of spiritual purification (the end of Great Lent) and the most important, brightest holiday of the year – Easter falls. Our editorial team of Ukrainian Information has prepared for you this church calendar for April in the old style, so that
This year, April 2026, both in the old and new style, is one of the most important months for every Orthodox believer. It is during this period that the culmination of spiritual purification (the end of Great Lent) and the most important, brightest holiday of the year – Easter falls. Our editorial team of Ukrainian Information has prepared for you this church calendar for April in the old style, so that you can navigate the dates and know what Orthodox holiday is today, and also prepare a detailed schedule of liturgical events and fasting restrictions.
Main holidays in April before and after Easter: save these dates
Many are interested in the question of when Easter is in 2026 and how to properly prepare for it. According to the church calculation, the main dates of April are distributed as follows:
- April 5 — The Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday).
- April 7 — Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- April 12 — Bright Resurrection of Christ (EASTER) .
- April 21 — Radonitsa (Commemoration of the Dead).
Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter according to the old style in 2026 on April 12, this day falls on the second Sunday of April, after which Easter week begins (red Sunday on the calendar) when heavy physical labor is prohibited (except for work in the cemetery), and believers dedicate these days to serving God, celebrating with family, and commemorating the dead on the last 7 days of Easter.
Read also: Easter basket 2026: what to put in it and what is strictly forbidden to bless
Detailed church calendar by day (April 1–30, 2026)
So, in order not to miss important days of remembrance of saints, refer to this complete daily church calendar by dates and holidays for the year 2026:
- April 1 (Wed) – Martyrs Chrysanthos and Daria.
- April 2 (Thu) — Venerable Fathers, killed in the Lavra of St. Sava.
- April 3 (Fri) — Saint Cyril of Katansky.
- April 4 (Sat) — Lazarus Saturday.
- April 5 (Sun) — The Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) .
- April 6 (Mon) — Holy Monday. Holy Week begins .
- April 7 (Wed) — Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary . Holy Tuesday.
- April 8 (Wed) — Holy Wednesday.
- April 9 (Thu) — Maundy Thursday (Commemoration of the Last Supper).
- April 10 (Fri) — Good Friday (Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord).
- April 11 (Sat) — Holy Saturday.
- April 12 (Sun) — BRIGHT RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. EASTER.
- April 13 (Mon) — Bright Monday (Beginning of Bright Week).
- April 14 (Wed) — Bright Tuesday. Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
- April 15 (Wed) — Bright Wednesday.
- April 16 (Thu) — Maundy Thursday.
- April 17 (Fri) — Good Friday. Icons of the Mother of God “Life-giving Source”.
- April 18 (Sat) — Bright Saturday.
- April 19 (Sun) — Antipascha. 2nd Sunday after Easter (Apostle Thomas).
- April 20 (Mon) – Venerable George, Confessor.
- April 21 (WV) — Radonitsa. Commemoration of the dead.
- April 22 (Wed) – Martyr Eupsychia.
- April 23 (Thu) — Martyrs Terentius, Pompey, and others.
- April 24 (Fri) – Hieromartyr Antipas.
- April 25 (Sat) — Venerable Basil, Confessor.
- April 26 (Sun) — 3rd Sunday after Easter, the feast of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women.
- April 27 (Mon) — Saint Martin, Confessor.
- April 28 (WV) — Apostles from the 70: Aristarchus, Pus, and Trochimus.
- April 29 (Wednesday) – Martyrs Agapia, Irina, Chionia.
- April 30 (Thu) – Hieromartyr Simeon.
The photo above shows the calendar for April 2026 with holiday dates and fasting from the Koretsky Holy Trinity Convent
Nutrition calendar and fasts in April: from dry food to breaking the fast
The first third of the month is marked by strict Lent, a traditional preparation (purification) before Easter. The church charter provides for the following meal rules:
- Dry fasting (vegetable food without oil, bread, water): April 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 (the strictest day is Good Friday).
- Hot food without oil: April 2, 9, and 11.
- Caviar is allowed: April 4 in honor of the holiday of Lazarus Saturday.
- Fish is allowed: Only on April 5 (Palm Sunday) and April 7 (Annunciation).
Starting from April 12 (Easter) and throughout the entire Holy Week (up to and including April 19), there is no fasting – any food is allowed. From April 22, traditional one-day fasts are resumed every Wednesday and Friday, however, fish is allowed on these spring days.
Folk omens and prohibitions: what not to do on major holidays
The spring holidays are shrouded in many traditions before and after Easter, as it is a time of spring awakening. Believers are especially strict about prohibitions on major celebrations such as the Annunciation and Easter.
- What not to do on the Annunciation (April 7): People say: “A bird does not build a nest, a girl does not weave a braid .” It is strictly forbidden to engage in heavy physical labor, sew, knit, work on the land, and start new big projects.
- On Easter (April 12): It is forbidden to grieve, quarrel, curse, and throw away the remains of consecrated food (it is better to give them to animals or burn them).
Questions and answers: the most common requests from believers
Is it possible to get married in April 2026? No, during Great Lent (until April 11) and during Bright Week (until April 18), the Sacrament of Marriage is not performed. The first day when the Church blesses marriages is Antipascha (Red Hill), which falls on April 19.
When can you go to the cemetery after Easter? It is not customary to visit cemeteries on Bright Resurrection itself – this is a holiday of the victory of life over death. To commemorate the deceased, there is Radonitsa (April 21), which serves as a spring parental Saturday, when the joy of the Resurrection is shared with those who have departed for eternity.
Save the link and send this calendar to your loved ones on Viber or Telegram so you don’t miss anything!
