Many Orthodox Christians, with the beginning of a new Christian history from a new circle in September 2026, are wondering when their church of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) will celebrate the Beheading of John the Baptist?
The Beheading of John the Baptist according to the new style in 2026 will be celebrated on: August 29 .
After all, the dates shifted when the date change took place in September 2023, when Ukrainian churches switched to the new Julian (new) calendar.
Because of this, all non-transitory holidays, namely the Beheading of John the Baptist (it also belongs to the twelfth most revered in Christianity) have been moved 13 days earlier, and now the new date of the church event of John the Baptist coincides with the general Christian tradition of the majority of Orthodox churches in the world.
What is the essence of the holiday?
The event itself is not a holiday, because on this day the church remembers the tragic and martyred death of the prophet John the Baptist , who baptized the Son of God in the river, and it was he who warned of the coming of the Savior.
The tragedy occurred on the orders of King Herod Antipas himself, whom the prophet condemned for a sinful life with his brother’s wife, for which he, John, was beheaded and brought to the temple. They did this at the sinful request of the dancer Salome during a banquet, because she liked her dance very much and it was her request.
What is strictly forbidden to do on the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist
Firstly, there is a strict fast on this day and it should be observed . After all, it is a day of mourning and commemoration of martyrdom.
Secondly, go to your church, keeping your hunger until communion.
We remember that after receiving communion it is forbidden to: spit (as if you are spitting on the communion), insult, quarrel, get angry, and eat non-lean foods such as meat, milk, eggs, and fish.
Thirdly, let us not forget about repentance and prayer on this day . This is not a day of celebrations and fun, but the commemoration of the martyr is a day of sorrow. Believers who do not attend church services should pray at home, for example, using a selection of prayers for success in work, a list of Orthodox prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker and Tryphon , and avoid loud entertainment in front of the TV or telephone, as well as fun and games.
Previously, we also wrote when the Christmas of John the Baptist 2026 is according to the new and old calendar (Ivan Kupala) .
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