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Every year, millions of Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter according to their own millennia-old traditions —often on a different date than Catholic Easter. Whether you're Orthodox, curious, or simply looking for the exact date , this comprehensive guide explains everything: when Orthodox Easter falls in 2026, why the date differs, and how this holiday is celebrated in different countries and traditions.
1. The date of Orthodox Easter in 2026
The date of Orthodox Easter is not fixed; it changes each year according to a calculation based on the Julian calendar. In 2026, it falls on Sunday, April 12 , one week after Catholic Easter, which is celebrated on April 5.
Orthodox Easter 2027, 2028, 2029: Upcoming Dates
If you wish to anticipate the next celebrations, here are the dates of Orthodox Easter for the coming years: in 2027, it will fall on May 2 ; in 2028, on April 16 .
As you can see, the date varies considerably from year to year, sometimes by an entire month. This is a direct consequence of the orthodox calculation method, which we detail in the following section.
2. Why is Orthodox Easter not on the same date as Catholic Easter?
If you've ever noticed that Orthodox Easter and Catholic Easter very rarely fall on the same day, you've probably wondered why. The answer lies in one word: the calendar .
The Julian vs. Gregorian calendar
The Catholic Church uses the Gregorian calendar , adopted in 1582 and used today in almost the entire world. The Orthodox Church, on the other hand, calculates the date of Easter according to the Julian calendar , an older calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC.
These two calendars are not perfectly aligned: the Julian calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. As a result, even though Catholics and Orthodox Christians apply the same basic rule—Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox—they do not arrive at the same result because their starting point is different.
Years in which the two Easters coincide
However, sometimes the two holidays fall on the same day. This happens approximately three to four times per decade , when the lunar cycles of the two calendars coincide by chance. The next notable coincidences are predicted for 2034 and 2037 .
In those years, millions of Catholic and Orthodox Christians around the world celebrated the Resurrection of Christ together — a rare and symbolically powerful moment for Christian unity.
3. How is Orthodox Easter celebrated? The traditions
Easter is the most important festival in the Orthodox calendar, far surpassing Christmas. It is called "the festival of festivals" and embodies centuries of spiritual and cultural traditions passed down from generation to generation.
Easter Night Mass
The celebration begins in the night from Saturday to Sunday, around midnight. The faithful gather in the church, plunged into complete darkness. The priest then lights a candle and pronounces the words that resonate in all Orthodox churches around the world: "Christ is risen!" — to which the faithful respond, "Truly, he is risen!"
The flame spreads from candle to candle until it illuminates the entire church. A procession then takes place around the building, led by crosses and icons, symbolizing the search for the resurrected Christ. This liturgy, called the Resurrection service , often lasts until dawn and represents the spiritual heart of Orthodox Easter. Believers carry an Orthodox cross and icons during the procession around the church.
Table traditions: Easter lamb, red eggs and Easter cake
After midnight mass, the celebration continues with a Easter meal that breaks the Great Lent—a 48-day period of fasting observed before Easter. Several emblematic foods take pride of place on the table:
Red eggs are undoubtedly the most universal symbol of Orthodox Easter. Dyed red to represent the blood of Christ and new life, they are the subject of a particular ritual: each guest taps one against that of his neighbor while saying "Christ is risen!", the one whose egg remains intact being considered lucky for the coming year.
The Paschal lamb occupies a central place on the table, a symbol of Christ's sacrifice. It is usually roasted whole, carefully prepared the day before, and shared with family on Sunday morning after Mass.
The Easter cake — called kulich in Russia, tsoureki in Greece or cozonac in Romania — is a fragrant brioche-like bread, often decorated and blessed in church before being enjoyed with family.
Traditions by country: Russia, Greece, Serbia, Romania
Although the main features of Orthodox Easter are common to all, each country brings its own cultural color to it.
In Russia , Easter is the most solemn religious holiday of the year. Churches are packed for the midnight liturgy, and families prepare paskha —a pyramid-shaped dessert made from cottage cheese—and kulich weeks in advance. The exchange of three kisses on the cheek accompanies the traditional "Khristos Voskrese!" (Christ is risen!). Beyond Easter, Orthodox Russia celebrates many religious feasts throughout the year, such as Saint Nicholas.
In Greece , the atmosphere is both spiritual and festive. The midnight procession through the streets with candles is a striking spectacle, often followed by fireworks. The next day, families gather around spit-roasted lamb and enjoy magiritsa , a traditional soup made with lamb offal served just after midnight mass to break the fast.
In Serbia , Easter is marked by a unique tradition: the česnica , a loaf of bread in which a coin is hidden—whoever finds it in their slice is promised a prosperous year. Orthodox Serbs also greet the holiday with "Christmas!" and perpetuate the ritual of red eggs with particular fervor.
In Romania , Easter night is a time of great spiritual intensity. Thousands of faithful gather in front of churches, candles in hand, and then take the sacred flame home to bless their households. The traditional Easter meal includes lamb, red eggs, and cozonac , a brioche-like cake with nuts or cocoa that is ubiquitous on every table.
4. Objects and symbols of Orthodox Easter
Easter is an opportunity for many believers to give or receive religious objects imbued with meaning. Far from being mere decorations, these objects are symbols of faith passed down from generation to generation.
Orthodox icons
The icon is central to Orthodox spirituality. At Easter, icons of the Resurrection (called Anastasis ) hold a special place in homes and churches. Giving an icon to a loved one for Easter is a tradition deeply rooted in Russian, Greek, Serbian, and Romanian cultures.
Discover our selection of Orthodox icons for Easter.
Orthodox cross jewelry and pendants
The Orthodox cross is distinguished from the Catholic cross by its characteristic shape with three horizontal bars. Wearing an Orthodox cross is a daily act of faith, and Easter is often an occasion to give one to a child, godchild, or loved one to mark this significant spiritual moment.
Explore our collection of Orthodox cross pendants and jewelry
5. Orthodox Lent: the period of fasting before Easter
Orthodox Easter does not begin on Sunday morning — it is prepared for during 48 days of fasting and reflection called Great Lent. It is one of the most demanding liturgical periods in the Orthodox calendar.
When does Orthodox Lent begin in 2026?
In 2026, the Great Lent of the Orthodox Church begins on Monday, February 23 , and ends on Saturday, April 11, the day before Easter. This period opens with "Clean Monday," the first day of fasting, which follows Forgiveness Sunday—a day when Orthodox Christians ask each other for forgiveness before entering Lent.
What do people eat during Orthodox Lent?
Orthodox fasting is one of the strictest practices in Christianity . During Great Lent, the faithful abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, and sometimes fish, depending on the day. The rules vary slightly according to national traditions and individual practice, but the spirit remains the same: bodily deprivation in service of spiritual reflection.
It is this long fast that makes the Easter meal on Sunday morning even more symbolic. Breaking Lent with lamb, red eggs, and Easter cake after 48 days of abstinence is a moment of intense joy for Orthodox families.
6. Frequently Asked Questions about Orthodox Easter
What is the difference between Orthodox Easter and Catholic Easter?
The main difference lies in the calendar used to calculate the date. The Catholic Church uses the Gregorian calendar, while the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind. As a result, the two holidays rarely fall on the same day, with a gap that can be as much as five weeks.
What is Easter for Orthodox Christians?
Easter (or Passover ) is the most important festival in the Orthodox calendar, far surpassing Christmas. It celebrates the Resurrection of Christ and embodies the deepest traditions of the Orthodox faith: the midnight liturgy, red eggs, the Paschal lamb, and family gatherings.
When does Orthodox Easter fall in 2026?
Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday, April 12, 2026 , one week after Catholic Easter, which is set for April 5.
Is Orthodox Easter a public holiday in France?
No, Orthodox Easter is not an official public holiday in France. Only Catholic Easter Monday is a public holiday. Orthodox Christians generally take a day off work to celebrate the holiday.
