When is Orthodox Easter?
In 2026, Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday, April 12, 2026. It is an observance rather than a federal holiday, so federal offices and most businesses follow their normal schedules.
History of Orthodox Easter
Orthodox Easter, Pascha, is the central feast of the Greek Orthodox year. Its date follows the Orthodox Paschalion, which applies a Julian ecclesiastical calculation before expressing the result on Greece’s Gregorian civil calendar; it therefore can differ from western Easter. Holy Saturday culminates just before midnight as churches darken, priests proclaim Christos Anesti—Christ is risen—and worshippers share the Holy Light candle by candle. The flame is carried home, where some trace a smoky cross above the doorway as a blessing.
Easter Sunday is already a Sunday and is not separately one of Article 60’s nine compulsory weekdays; Easter Monday is the statutory holiday. Its cultural reach is nevertheless nationwide. Families return to villages and roast lamb or goat, crack red-dyed eggs in the tsougrisma contest and share regional dishes after the Lenten fast. Magiritsa soup is commonly eaten after the midnight service, before Sunday’s larger feast. Dates on this site are calculated from Orthodox Pascha, not copied from the Gregorian western Easter calendar.
How Orthodox Easter is observed
Greece’s principal Orthodox religious Sunday; Easter Monday is the separate compulsory public holiday, while Sunday schedules vary by permitted sector.
Traditions of Orthodox Easter
Holy Light and Christos Anesti
At midnight worshippers pass candle flame through the congregation and joyfully answer the resurrection greeting with Alithos Anesti.
Red-egg contest
Family members tap red-dyed eggs in the tsougrisma game, with the last unbroken egg associated with good fortune.
Lamb feast
Extended families roast lamb or goat, share regional dishes, music and conversation, and celebrate the formal end of Lent.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Greek Ministry of Labour and government guidance. Collective agreements, regional arrangements and school schedules may differ from the general statutory rule.
History sources: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese: dating Pascha in the Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese: Paschalion and feast calendar, Ministry of Labour and Social Security: compulsory public holidays.
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