2026 LITURGICAL CALENDAR & NOTES

                                                            2026                   2027____         2028________2029                2030______

Lent (Forgiveness Sunday)              February 22       March 14          February 27    February 18     March 10

PASCHA                                            April 12             May 2               April 16           April 8             April 28

Ascension                                           May 21              June 10             May 25            May 17            June 6

Pentecost                                            May 31              June 20             June 4              May 27            June 16

Easter (Western Denominations)       April 5____       March 28___    April 16___ __April 1___       April 21_

2026 ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FASTING DISCIPLINE

Fasting Seasons                                 Holy Lent (thru) Great Saturday                    February 23 - April 11

                                                            Peter and Paul Fast (Apostles Fast)                June 8 - June 28

                                                            Dormition Fast                                                August 1 - August 14

                                                            Nativity Fast (Advent)                                    November 15 - December 24

Fast-Free Weeks                               Post-Feast: Nativity of Christ                         December 25 - January 4

                                                            Week following the Publican and Pharisee    February 2 - February 7

                                                            Bright Week (following PASCHA)               April 13 - April 18

                                                            Trinity Week (following Pentecost)               June 1 – June 6

Days of Fasting                                  All Wednesdays and Fridays except as noted above as “fast-free”

                                                            Eve of Theophany (Strict Fast)                      January 5

                                                            Beheading of St. John (Strict Fast)                 August 29

                                                            Elevation of the Cross (Strict Fast)                September 14

                                                            Eve of the Nativity of Christ (Strict Fast)      December 24  

2026 MEMORIAL LITURGIES FOR THE DEPARTED - AMBRIDGE PARISH

                                                            Pre-Lent/Lent                                                 Mar 7 / Mar 14

                                                            Saturday before Pentecost                                  May 30

                                                            St. Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher Saturday           October 24

2026 DATES WHEN WEDDINGS ARE NOT TO BE CELEBRATED

(Unless a dispensation is granted by the ruling bishop upon the request of the parish priest)

• On the eves of Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year (i.e., Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
• On the eves of Sunday throughout the year (i.e., Saturday evenings)
• On the eve of Holydays commemorated in the parish
• In all the fasting seasons noted previously
• From the Nativity of Christ through the Second Day of Theophany
• During the Week of Cheesefare
• During Bright Week
• On the Eve and Holyday of “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist”
• On the Eve and Holyday of “The Elevation of the Precious Cross”

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• Note! The SCHEDULING OF THE WEDDING SACRAMENT should be finalized with the parish priest before any other nuptial planning is done. Please remember that wedding ceremonies performed outside the Orthodox Faith are not recognized as valid Orthodox Sacramental unions. Suspension from the Holy Sacraments (as well as loss of other parish membership privileges) is automatic in such instances until “normalized” as per private instruction from the parish priest in consultation with the diocese.

• While the guidelines for Orthodox Christians fasting (as well as participation in the Holy Sacraments) should be taken seriously, they are not to be interpreted with “dour and pedantic legalism.” It is the prerogative of the ruling bishop to grant dispensations concerning these guidelines if recommended by his representative, the parish priest.

• Individuals under the care of a physician need to discuss their fasting regimen with the parish priest, who, as your spiritual father, will give guidance to mitigate the fasting regimen, as appropriate.

• Any parish member or parish organization using any of the parish’s facilities (including the Youth Center) must follow the fasting guidelines as outlined above when serving food or beverages.

~ Please contact Fr. Bill if you have questions concerning any of the information above ~