Despite the more traditional for all of Ukraine transition of the UOC believers to celebrate everything according to the new calendar, there is a significant part of communities, people, church parishes and parishes that still celebrate according to the old (Julian) calendar, for some it is a habit, for some it is a tradition (because that is how their relatives, grandparents or parents celebrated). So regardless of which calendar (style) some Orthodox churches adhere to, in particular the Jerusalem, Serbian, Georgian churches and monasteries of Mount Athos continue to celebrate according to the old style.
Answering the question of when the Beheading of John the Baptist will be according to the old calendar (style) in 2026, it is officially September 11 .
The spiritual meaning of the holiday
Despite the difference in dates, which remains unchanged, many believers say that this is a church holiday, but it is important to remember that this is a holiday of remembrance , when they honor the great prophet who suffered for the truth and for telling and condemning sins at court. He is one of the most revered in Christianity, because he suffered for his faith and was beheaded by King Herod Antipas at the instigation of the dancer Herodias.
What is strictly forbidden to do on this day?
Firstly, since it is a memorial day, it is accompanied by a strict one-day fast, so it is strictly forbidden to eat fatty foods: meat, eggs, milk, cheese, lard, and other non-lean foods.
Secondly, on this day it is forbidden to wish evil (death, curses, and other misfortune), because God teaches that one must be humble, believe in the power of God, and pray.
Thirdly, attend church services, if this is not possible, then pray independently at home or at work. Previously, we wrote about a selection of prayers at work, a list of prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker and Tryphon .
It is important not to forget and not to confuse all sorts of non-church prohibitions with the so-called “folk superstitions”, they have nothing to do with God and the church and came to us from pagan ancestors, namely: It was believed that on this day you cannot use knives, axes or other sharp objects (although this prohibition also echoes the church prohibition on work on this memorial day); the prohibition to cut anything round that resembles the shape of a head (cabbage, apples, watermelons, bread) is a vivid example of folk superstitions in which our peasant ancestors believed; the prohibition to serve food on round plates (due to the association with the tray on which the prophet’s head was brought) and here the church does not agree with folk beliefs and has no reason for such a prohibition.
So let us remember that the real sin is to insult one’s neighbor, to break the holy fast, to hold festivities on a memorial day, and also to drink alcohol and quarrel with foul language.
You may also be interested in when the Beheading of John the Baptist is celebrated in 2026 according to the new style: date and meaning of the holiday . We remind you that we also told you when the Christmas of John the Baptist is celebrated in 2026 according to the new and old calendar (Ivan Kupala).
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