When is Orthodox Easter Monday?
In 2026, Orthodox Easter Monday falls on Monday, April 13, 2026. It is classified here as a Moldovan public holiday.
History of Orthodox Easter Monday
Orthodox Easter Monday is the second day of the Paschal holiday explicitly protected by Moldova's Labour Code. It follows the Sunday celebration rather than substituting for it, making Monday an independent non-working holiday every year. The legal wording matters because it guarantees a weekday pause even though Easter Sunday already falls on the normal weekly rest day for many workers.
The day carries the Resurrection celebration into family and community life. Relatives who spent Sunday with one household can visit another, children continue tapping dyed eggs, and food prepared for the Easter table is shared with guests. Parish timetables vary, but Bright Week worship and the Paschal greeting continue beyond the central midnight liturgy.
Moldova's official 2026 schedule confirms Monday, April 13 as the second day of Easter. Because this holiday is defined as Monday, ordinary weekend-transfer questions do not arise. Paștele Blajinilor follows one week later as a separate statutory memorial holiday and should not be confused with Easter Monday itself.
How Orthodox Easter Monday is observed
Orthodox Easter Monday is a nationwide non-working holiday under Article 111 of Moldova's Labour Code. It always falls immediately after Orthodox Easter Sunday and is legally separate from Paștele Blajinilor. A weekend does not automatically create a Monday substitute; the Government may transfer days for public institutions, and employers may make their own lawful transfer after consultation.
Traditions of Orthodox Easter Monday
Relatives' visits
Families visit relatives or godparents who celebrated in another household on Sunday, bringing eggs, bread and Easter greetings.
Egg-tapping games
Children and adults continue tapping coloured eggs to see whose shell lasts longest, then share the eggs at meals.
Bright Week worship
Parishes continue Paschal hymns and services during Bright Week, with schedules shaped by local congregations, clergy and pastoral needs.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Moldovan government and labour-calendar guidance. Local, school and private-employer schedules may differ from the national public-holiday calendar.
History sources: Republic of Moldova Labour Code, Article 111, Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 2026 non-working holidays.
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