FIRST DAY OF LENT / THE GREAT FAST
23rd February 2026
Christian (Orthodox)
This is the beginning of the Lenten Fast, which involves abstinence from meat, fish and dairy products until Easter.
Unlike the Western tradition, where Lent begins on the Wednesday before the first Sunday of Lent, Eastern Churches start Lent on the Monday before the first Sunday. In addition, since Lent is calculated in relation to Easter, it follows that when the Orthodox date for Easter differs from that of the Western Churches, as here, the whole Lenten period will similarly differ.