✦Orthodox Daily Companion · Download free
№ The Church year · 2028

The 2028 Orthodox calendar.
Pascha is April 16.

Every Great Feast, the dates of Great Lent and the four fasts, and the whole Paschal cycle for 2028, on the New and the Old Calendar.

2028 at a glance
Pascha (Orthodox Easter)
April 16Sunday
Great Lent begins
February 28Clean Monday
Holy Friday
April 14
Pentecost
June 4
Orthodox Christmas
January 7Old Calendar · December 25 on the New
§ i · The Great Feasts of 2028

Twelve feasts and the Feast of Feasts,
on both calendars.

The fixed feasts keep their date in the Church's calendar, so a parish on the Old (Julian) Calendar keeps each one 13 days after a parish on the New Calendar. Pascha and the feasts that hang from it - Palm Sunday, the Ascension, Pentecost - fall on the same day for the whole Church.

The Great Feasts of 2028 on the New and Old Calendar
FeastNew CalendarOld Calendar
Theophany - the Baptism of the LordJanuary 6ThursdayJanuary 19Wednesday
The Meeting of the Lord in the TempleFebruary 2WednesdayFebruary 15Tuesday
The Annunciation of the TheotokosMarch 25SaturdayApril 7Friday
Palm Sunday - Entry of the Lord into JerusalemApril 9SundayApril 9Sunday
Pascha - the Resurrection of the LordApril 16SundayApril 16Sunday
Ascension of the LordMay 25ThursdayMay 25Thursday
Pentecost - Holy TrinityJune 4SundayJune 4Sunday
The Transfiguration of the LordAugust 6SundayAugust 19Saturday
The Dormition of the TheotokosAugust 15TuesdayAugust 28Monday
The Nativity of the TheotokosSeptember 8FridaySeptember 21Thursday
The Exaltation of the Holy CrossSeptember 14ThursdaySeptember 27Wednesday
The Entry of the Theotokos into the TempleNovember 21TuesdayDecember 4Monday
The Nativity of ChristDecember 25MondayJanuary 7, 2029Sunday
§ ii · The fasts of 2028

Lent and the four fasts,
and the weeks without one.

Outside these seasons, every Wednesday and Friday is a fast day, except in the fast-free weeks below. How strictly to keep each one is a question for your priest.

Orthodox fasting seasons in 2028
PeriodNew CalendarOld Calendar
Great LentClean Monday to Palm Sunday. Strict on weekdays, wine and oil on Saturdays and Sundays; fish on the Annunciation and Palm Sunday.February 28 to April 9February 28 to April 9
Holy WeekThe strictest week of the year. Wine and oil on Holy Thursday; Holy Friday is traditionally kept with no food at all, or as little as one can.April 10 to April 15April 10 to April 15
Apostles' FastFrom the Monday after All Saints to the eve of Sts Peter and Paul. Its length depends on the date of Pascha, so it changes every year.June 12 to June 28June 12 to July 11
Dormition FastTwo weeks before the Dormition of the Theotokos, kept like Lent; fish on the Transfiguration.August 1 to August 14August 14 to August 27
Nativity FastForty days before Christmas. Fish is allowed on most Saturdays and Sundays until the last days before the feast.November 15 to December 24November 28 to January 6, 2029

Single strict fast days

Single-day fasts in 2028
Fast dayNew CalendarOld Calendar
Eve of TheophanyJanuary 5WednesdayJanuary 18Tuesday
Beheading of St John the BaptistAugust 29TuesdaySeptember 11Monday
Exaltation of the CrossSeptember 14ThursdaySeptember 27Wednesday

Fast-free weeks

Fast-free weeks in 2028
PeriodNew CalendarOld Calendar
ChristmastideFrom the Nativity of Christ to the eve of Theophany.December 25 to January 4, 2029January 7 to January 17
Week of the Publican and PhariseeThe week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, three weeks before Lent.February 7 to February 13February 7 to February 13
Bright WeekPascha through Bright Saturday.April 16 to April 22April 16 to April 22
Trinity WeekThe week after Pentecost.June 5 to June 11June 5 to June 11
§ iii · Every day of 2028

The fast, day by day,
through 2028.

Each day of 2028 coloured by its fasting rule. Hover or tap a date for the feast and the rule.

  • Strict fast - No meat, dairy, fish, wine or oil
  • Wine & oil - No meat, dairy or fish
  • Fish allowed - Fish, wine and oil
  • No meat - Dairy, eggs and fish allowed
  • No fast - All foods
  • Gold ring - a Great Feast
January 2028
SMTWTFS
1: Fast-free
2: Fast-free
3: Fast-free
4: Fast-free
5: Eve of Theophany - strict fast
6: Theophany - the Baptism of the Lord. No fast
7: Friday - fast day
8: No fast
9: No fast
10: No fast
11: No fast
12: Wednesday - fast day
13: No fast
14: Friday - fast day
15: No fast
16: No fast
17: No fast
18: No fast
19: Wednesday - fast day
20: No fast
21: Friday - fast day
22: No fast
23: No fast
24: No fast
25: No fast
26: Wednesday - fast day
27: No fast
28: Friday - fast day
29: No fast
30: No fast
31: No fast
February 2028
SMTWTFS
1: No fast
2: The Meeting of the Lord in the Temple. Great Feast - fish permitted
3: No fast
4: Friday - fast day
5: No fast
6: No fast
7: Fast-free
8: Fast-free
9: Fast-free
10: Fast-free
11: Fast-free
12: Fast-free
13: Fast-free
14: No fast
15: No fast
16: Wednesday - fast day
17: No fast
18: Friday - fast day
19: No fast
20: No fast
21: Cheesefare week - no meat (dairy permitted)
22: Cheesefare week - no meat (dairy permitted)
23: Cheesefare week - no meat (dairy permitted)
24: Cheesefare week - no meat (dairy permitted)
25: Cheesefare week - no meat (dairy permitted)
26: Cheesefare week - no meat (dairy permitted)
27: Cheesefare week - no meat (dairy permitted)
28: Clean Monday - Great Lent begins. Great Lent - strict fast
29: Great Lent - strict fast
March 2028
SMTWTFS
1: Great Lent - strict fast
2: Great Lent - strict fast
3: Great Lent - strict fast
4: Great Lent - wine and oil
5: Great Lent - wine and oil
6: Great Lent - strict fast
7: Great Lent - strict fast
8: Great Lent - strict fast
9: Great Lent - strict fast
10: Great Lent - strict fast
11: Great Lent - wine and oil
12: Great Lent - wine and oil
13: Great Lent - strict fast
14: Great Lent - strict fast
15: Great Lent - strict fast
16: Great Lent - strict fast
17: Great Lent - strict fast
18: Great Lent - wine and oil
19: Great Lent - wine and oil
20: Great Lent - strict fast
21: Great Lent - strict fast
22: Great Lent - strict fast
23: Great Lent - strict fast
24: Great Lent - strict fast
25: The Annunciation of the Theotokos. Great Lent - fish permitted (feast)
26: Great Lent - wine and oil
27: Great Lent - strict fast
28: Great Lent - strict fast
29: Great Lent - strict fast
30: Great Lent - strict fast
31: Great Lent - strict fast
April 2028
SMTWTFS
1: Great Lent - wine and oil
2: Great Lent - wine and oil
3: Great Lent - strict fast
4: Great Lent - strict fast
5: Great Lent - strict fast
6: Great Lent - strict fast
7: Great Lent - strict fast
8: Great Lent - wine and oil
9: Palm Sunday - Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. Great Lent - fish permitted (feast)
10: Holy Week - strict fast
11: Holy Week - strict fast
12: Holy Week - strict fast
13: Holy Thursday - wine and oil
14: Holy Friday. Holy Week - strict fast
15: Holy Week - strict fast
16: Pascha - the Resurrection of the Lord. Fast-free
17: Fast-free
18: Fast-free
19: Fast-free
20: Fast-free
21: Fast-free
22: Fast-free
23: No fast
24: No fast
25: No fast
26: Wednesday - fast day
27: No fast
28: Friday - fast day
29: No fast
30: No fast
May 2028
SMTWTFS
1: No fast
2: No fast
3: Wednesday - fast day
4: No fast
5: Friday - fast day
6: No fast
7: No fast
8: No fast
9: No fast
10: Wednesday - fast day
11: No fast
12: Friday - fast day
13: No fast
14: No fast
15: No fast
16: No fast
17: Wednesday - fast day
18: No fast
19: Friday - fast day
20: No fast
21: No fast
22: No fast
23: No fast
24: Wednesday - fast day
25: Ascension of the Lord. No fast
26: Friday - fast day
27: No fast
28: No fast
29: No fast
30: No fast
31: Wednesday - fast day
June 2028
SMTWTFS
1: No fast
2: Friday - fast day
3: No fast
4: Pentecost - Holy Trinity. No fast
5: Fast-free
6: Fast-free
7: Fast-free
8: Fast-free
9: Fast-free
10: Fast-free
11: Fast-free
12: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
13: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
14: Apostles' Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
15: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
16: Apostles' Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
17: Apostles' Fast - fish permitted
18: Apostles' Fast - fish permitted
19: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
20: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
21: Apostles' Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
22: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
23: Apostles' Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
24: Apostles' Fast - fish permitted
25: Apostles' Fast - fish permitted
26: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
27: Apostles' Fast - wine and oil
28: Apostles' Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
29: No fast
30: Friday - fast day
July 2028
SMTWTFS
1: No fast
2: No fast
3: No fast
4: No fast
5: Wednesday - fast day
6: No fast
7: Friday - fast day
8: No fast
9: No fast
10: No fast
11: No fast
12: Wednesday - fast day
13: No fast
14: Friday - fast day
15: No fast
16: No fast
17: No fast
18: No fast
19: Wednesday - fast day
20: No fast
21: Friday - fast day
22: No fast
23: No fast
24: No fast
25: No fast
26: Wednesday - fast day
27: No fast
28: Friday - fast day
29: No fast
30: No fast
31: No fast
August 2028
SMTWTFS
1: Dormition Fast - strict fast
2: Dormition Fast - strict fast
3: Dormition Fast - strict fast
4: Dormition Fast - strict fast
5: Dormition Fast - wine and oil
6: The Transfiguration of the Lord. Dormition Fast - Transfiguration, fish permitted
7: Dormition Fast - strict fast
8: Dormition Fast - strict fast
9: Dormition Fast - strict fast
10: Dormition Fast - strict fast
11: Dormition Fast - strict fast
12: Dormition Fast - wine and oil
13: Dormition Fast - wine and oil
14: Dormition Fast - strict fast
15: The Dormition of the Theotokos. No fast
16: Wednesday - fast day
17: No fast
18: Friday - fast day
19: No fast
20: No fast
21: No fast
22: No fast
23: Wednesday - fast day
24: No fast
25: Friday - fast day
26: No fast
27: No fast
28: No fast
29: Beheading of St John the Baptist - strict fast
30: Wednesday - fast day
31: No fast
September 2028
SMTWTFS
1: Friday - fast day
2: No fast
3: No fast
4: No fast
5: No fast
6: Wednesday - fast day
7: No fast
8: The Nativity of the Theotokos. Great Feast - fish permitted
9: No fast
10: No fast
11: No fast
12: No fast
13: Wednesday - fast day
14: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Exaltation of the Cross - strict fast
15: Friday - fast day
16: No fast
17: No fast
18: No fast
19: No fast
20: Wednesday - fast day
21: No fast
22: Friday - fast day
23: No fast
24: No fast
25: No fast
26: No fast
27: Wednesday - fast day
28: No fast
29: Friday - fast day
30: No fast
October 2028
SMTWTFS
1: No fast
2: No fast
3: No fast
4: Wednesday - fast day
5: No fast
6: Friday - fast day
7: No fast
8: No fast
9: No fast
10: No fast
11: Wednesday - fast day
12: No fast
13: Friday - fast day
14: No fast
15: No fast
16: No fast
17: No fast
18: Wednesday - fast day
19: No fast
20: Friday - fast day
21: No fast
22: No fast
23: No fast
24: No fast
25: Wednesday - fast day
26: No fast
27: Friday - fast day
28: No fast
29: No fast
30: No fast
31: No fast
November 2028
SMTWTFS
1: Wednesday - fast day
2: No fast
3: Friday - fast day
4: No fast
5: No fast
6: No fast
7: No fast
8: Wednesday - fast day
9: No fast
10: Friday - fast day
11: No fast
12: No fast
13: No fast
14: No fast
15: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
16: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
17: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
18: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
19: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
20: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
21: The Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple. Nativity Fast - Entry of the Theotokos, fish permitted
22: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
23: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
24: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
25: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
26: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
27: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
28: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
29: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
30: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
December 2028
SMTWTFS
1: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
2: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
3: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
4: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
5: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
6: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
7: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
8: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
9: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
10: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
11: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
12: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
13: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
14: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
15: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
16: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
17: Nativity Fast - fish permitted
18: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
19: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
20: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
21: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
22: Nativity Fast - strict (Wed/Fri)
23: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
24: Nativity Fast - wine and oil
25: The Nativity of Christ. Fast-free
26: Fast-free
27: Fast-free
28: Fast-free
29: Fast-free
30: Fast-free
31: Fast-free
§ iv · The Paschal cycle in 2028

From the Publican and Pharisee
to All Saints.

The Triodion and Pentecostarion move with Pascha every year. These dates are the same on the Old and New Calendar.

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare)
Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare)
Clean Monday - Great Lent begins
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Sunday of St Gregory Palamas
Sunday of the Holy Cross
Sunday of St John Climacus
Sunday of St Mary of Egypt
Lazarus Saturday
Palm Sunday - Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
Holy Monday
Holy Tuesday
Holy Wednesday
Holy Thursday
Holy Friday - the Passion of the Lord
Holy Saturday
Pascha - the Resurrection of the Lord
Thomas Sunday (Antipascha)
Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women
Sunday of the Paralytic
Mid-Pentecost
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Sunday of the Blind Man
Ascension of the Lord
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Council
Pentecost - Holy Trinity
Sunday of All Saints
§ v · Keeping the year

The calendar is how
the Church keeps time.

Each day of the Orthodox year remembers its saints, and each season has its feast or its fast. Read about the Orthodox Christian calendar - why there are two, and how the fixed and moving cycles fit together - or meet the saints of each day.

Questions

The 2028 calendar,
question by question.

When is Orthodox Easter (Pascha) in 2028?
Orthodox Pascha falls on Sunday, April 16, 2028. Holy Friday is April 14, the Ascension May 25, and Pentecost June 4. Old and New Calendar churches keep Pascha on the same day.
Why is Orthodox Easter on a different date from Western Easter in 2028?
In 2028 it is not: Orthodox and Western Christians both celebrate Easter on April 16. The two dates coincide in some years because both follow the spring full moon, but the Orthodox Church reckons it on the older Julian calendar.
When does Great Lent start in 2028?
Great Lent begins on Clean Monday, February 28, 2028, the day after Forgiveness Sunday. Lent runs to Palm Sunday on April 9, and Holy Week follows. Cheesefare week, February 21 to February 27, is kept without meat.
When is Orthodox Christmas in 2028?
Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the Nativity of Christ on January 7, 2028. Churches on the New Calendar keep it on December 25, 2028. Both keep it on December 25 of the calendar they follow; the Julian calendar now runs 13 days behind.
How long is the Apostles' Fast in 2028?
On the New Calendar, 17 days, June 12 to June 28. On the Old Calendar it runs June 12 to July 11. It starts on the Monday after All Saints and ends on the eve of Sts Peter and Paul, so a late Pascha makes it short.

A saint for every day,
on your wall all year.

The 2027 Lives of the Saints calendar prints a saint's life for each day of the year, with the feast and the fasting rule beside it. Printed by our family since 1995.