Holy Week 2026: what happens in churches on each of the six days
Holy Week is the week before Easter, when believers remember the last days of Jesus Christ's earthly life, his sufferings, crucifixion and burial. About when Holy Week is celebrated, what is its essence and what is the meaning of each of the days — in the material of Izvestia.
When does Holy Week begin in 2026
In 2026, Holy Week will last from April 6 to 11. It begins immediately after Palm Sunday and ends Lent. The name comes from the Church Slavonic word "passion", which means "suffering", and is associated with the events of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ. In liturgical books, this period is called Great Week, and each of its days is called Great Monday, Great Tuesday, etc.
Fasting on these days should be observed even by those who have not fully survived the 40-day period of fasting. From Monday to Wednesday, the church charter prescribes dry eating: you can eat bread, raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, as well as dishes made from these products, cooked without heat treatment and without the addition of vegetable oil. Hot food with butter is allowed on Thursday. On Friday, believers completely refuse food before taking out the Shroud at the afternoon service. On Saturday, the diet again consists of rye bread, raw vegetables and fruits.
Great Monday — April 6th
On Holy Monday, churches remember the Old Testament Joseph, whom the brothers sold to Egypt. His story is perceived as a prototype of the betrayal and suffering of Christ. On the same day, the Gospel story about the barren fig tree is read. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus saw a fig tree with dense foliage, but without a single fruit. The Savior cursed the fig tree, which withered at the same moment. In the church tradition, this tree is considered a symbol of a soul that does not bear the fruits of repentance.
It is on Holy Monday that the patriarch begins the rite of consecration. Myrrh is boiled from 50 oils, herbs and resins for three days, and consecrated on Holy Thursday. The patriarch performs this rite once every two years, then the myrrh is distributed to the parishes. In Russia, from that day on, cleaning began: they threw out unnecessary things, made minor repairs, washed windows so that the holiday would "enter" the house through them.
Great Tuesday — April 7th
On Holy Tuesday, divine services are dedicated to the parables that Christ uttered in the Jerusalem temple on the eve of his sufferings. The chief priests and elders, hearing this sermon, wanted to seize him, but they were afraid of the people, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.
The church recalls the parable of the ten virgins. According to the Gospel, the virgins went out to meet the bridegroom, but only five of them had oil for the lamps. While the negligent girls went to buy butter, the groom came and took the wise maidens to the wedding feast. The meaning of the parable is the need to be constantly ready to meet God.
Also on this day, they read the parable of talents — that God-given abilities should not be buried in the ground. There are also words about the Last Judgment in the liturgical texts. In the folk tradition, washing and ironing were finished by this day, clothes were sewn up, and the remaining garbage was thrown away.
Great Wednesday — April 8th
On this day, two opposite events are remembered. When Jesus was in Bethany, he and his disciples came to visit Simon the leper, whom he had healed earlier. During the meal, a woman named Mary took an alabaster jar and smeared Jesus with myrrh, a precious aromatic oil. Those present began to grumble at her, because the vessel could have been sold for good money, but Christ suppressed the discontent. This episode is interpreted by the church as a sign of love and repentance. On the same day, Judas Iscariot decided to betray the teacher for 30 pieces of silver, the amount with which it was then possible to buy a small plot of land.
At the liturgy, the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is read for the last time with prostrations to the ground. After Great Wednesday, bowing in the temple is canceled until Trinity, this is a sign of the transition to the remembrance of the sufferings of the cross.
Great Thursday — April 9th
Holy Thursday is dedicated to the Last Supper, the last meal of Christ with His disciples, at which the sacrament of the Eucharist (communion) was established. In churches, excerpts are read about Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and his imprisonment. Myrrh is being consecrated in cathedrals, which began to be brewed on Monday.
This day is popularly called Maundy Thursday. Believers are putting the house in order and finishing preparations for Easter. There is a belief that ablution on this day helps to cleanse oneself from sins and strengthen one's health. But the church reminds us that the main thing is spiritual purification, prayer and inner readiness to meet the great holiday. After the service, many bake cakes, make Easter cakes and paint eggs.
Good Friday — April 10th
Good Friday is the most mournful day of the church year. At this time, believers remember the trial of Christ, his journey to Golgotha and the crucifixion. There is no liturgy on this day. The Shroud, the image of Christ in the tomb, is brought out in churches, and believers bow to it.
Fasting on Friday is the strictest. Many, if their health permits, do not eat before taking out the Shroud.
Great Saturday — April 11th
Holy Saturday is a day of remembrance of the burial of Christ and his descent into hell in order to bring out the souls of those who were waiting for his coming. The service begins on Friday evening and includes the reading of 15 Old Testament prophecies. The lyrics have a theme of waiting for the Resurrection.
In the morning, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated, combined with the vespers. Priests change their dark vestments to light ones — a sign of the transition from sorrow to hope. On Saturday, they finish cooking the festive dishes and bring them to the temple to be consecrated. This day is also called "quiet": Orthodox Christians try to maintain inner concentration, giving up most worldly worries and noisy events.
Holy Week ends Lent and brings believers to the main Orthodox holiday, Easter. In 2026, Easter will come on April 12.
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