A Week Later Than the West in 2026: How Ukraine’s Churches Set the Date of Easter
In 2026, Easter fell on April 5 for the Roman Catholic Church and on April 12 for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Greek Catholic Church. Though the 2023 calendar reform moved Christmas to December 25, both churches left the Easter calculation unchanged. This article works through how the equinox and full moon are fixed, why the gap shifts from year to year, the holidays counted from Easter, and how Easter is treated as a state holiday, based on church decisions and the church calendar.
Easter in 2026 fell on April 5 for the Roman Catholic Church, and on April 12 for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (ПЦУ, OCU below) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (УГКЦ, UGCC below). On OCU’s 2026 church calendar, April 5 marks the Sunday one week before Easter, “the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem” (Palm Sunday). The same Sunday was Easter in the West, and, for Ukraine’s two churches, the start of the week before it.
Since September 1, 2023, OCU and UGCC have celebrated fixed-date holidays such as Christmas on the new calendar, on December 25 and other new dates. This background is covered in our article on how Christmas moved from January 7 to December 25. What both churches decided, together, not to change was the calculation of Easter’s date. This article looks at how that calculation works, and which dates it does and does not move.
The Sunday After the Full Moon After the Equinox
Easter is a “moveable feast” whose date changes every year. The entry “Easter” in the Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine (IEU), published by the University of Alberta’s Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), and the entry “Пасха” in Ukraine’s official electronic encyclopedia, the Great Ukrainian Encyclopedia (ВУЕ), both state that the Council of Nicaea in 325 decided that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
The equinox and full moon meant here, however, are not determined by observing the sky. According to an explanation from the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), church rules fix the equinox at March 21, and use not the astronomical full moon but an “ecclesiastical full moon” derived from tables. Easter then falls on the Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21.
Two Tables: the Gregorian Table and the Julian Table
The dates diverge despite the same rule because different calendars and tables are used. USNO’s explanation states that the calendar was reformed under Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 (the Gregorian calendar), producing a new Easter table, and that the Western churches use this table, while many Eastern churches use an older table based on the Julian calendar.
A decision text issued by OCU’s Council of Bishops on May 24, 2023 states that the gap between the Julian calendar’s “March 21” and the actual equinox was 13 days in the 20th and 21st centuries, becoming 14 days from 2100. As a result, the equinox placed at March 21 on the Julian calendar corresponds to April 3 on today’s calendar. Easter, as calculated from the Julian table, falls between March 22 and April 25 on the Julian calendar, so adding 13 days puts it, on today’s calendar in the 21st century, between April 4 and May 8. IEU’s entry “Church holidays” states that Eastern Easter falls on the same day as Western Easter, or one, four, or five weeks later.
The same decision text also states that the tradition of calculating Easter (the paschalion) is shared by all Orthodox churches except the Orthodox Church of Finland, and cannot be changed unless the Orthodox churches decide together.
Years When the Dates Match, and Years When They Diverge
Lining up 2024 through 2028 shows that how far the dates diverge changes from year to year. The dates for 2027 and 2028 are calculated from the two tables described above.
| Year | Western churches (Roman Catholic, etc.) | OCU/UGCC | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | March 31 | May 5 | 5 weeks |
| 2025 | April 20 | April 20 | Same day |
| 2026 | April 5 | April 12 | 1 week |
| 2027 | March 28 | May 2 | 5 weeks |
| 2028 | April 16 | April 16 | Same day |
Days Counted From Easter
When Easter moves, the holidays and fasting periods around it move with it. Here are the dates on OCU’s 2026 church calendar.
| 2026 date | OCU church calendar’s name | Relation to Easter |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 23-Apr 3 | Great Lent (Великий піст) | Before Easter |
| Apr 5 (Sun) | The Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) | 1 week before |
| Apr 6-11 | Holy Week (Страсний тиждень) | The week immediately before |
| Apr 12 (Sun) | Pascha, Velykden | The day itself |
| Apr 13-19 | Bright Week (Пасхальна (Світла) седмиця) | The week immediately after |
| Apr 19 (Sun) | Antipascha (Sunday of the Apostle Thomas) | 1 week after |
| From Apr 20 | The second week after Easter (“Provody”) | From day 8 |
| May 21 (Thu) | The Ascension | Day 40 |
| May 31 (Sun) | Trinity Sunday (Pentecost) | Day 50 |
| Jun 8-28 | The Fast of Peter (Петрів піст) | From 8 days after Trinity |
The Fast of Peter ends the day before the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on June 29. Because it starts counting from Easter, the fast’s length varies from year to year. The 2023 decision text also notes that combining the traditional paschalion with the new calendar for fixed-date holidays creates difficulties for how services are conducted, and asks a committee to draw up proposals.
When Is “Provody”?
There is a custom, after Easter, of remembering deceased family members. Its exact date is described differently from source to source.
- IEU’s “Easter” entry states that the dead are remembered throughout the whole week following Easter, and that people gather with food at church cemeteries especially on the Sunday after Easter (Thomas Sunday, also called “Providna”)
- OCU’s 2026 church calendar labels the second week after Easter (from April 20) as “Provody” and states that the remembrance of the dead is traditionally observed during this week
- ВУЕ’s entry “Великдень” states that the Easter celebrations concluded with remembrance of the dead, without naming a specific day of the week
Which day households and villages visit the cemetery on varies by region and parish.
“Paskha” and “Velykden”
Ukrainian has two words for Easter.
- Paskha (Пасха): ВУЕ traces it to the Greek πάσχα, and explains it under the same headword as Passover (Pesach) in Judaism
- Velykden (Великдень): meaning “the great day.” ВУЕ states that it was formed by calquing the Greek phrase for “the great day,” and that one view holds it spread late in the first millennium along with the Christianization of the East Slavic peoples, while adding that another view suggests it was used even earlier. IEU states that it is the word used in early translations by John of Damascus made in Kyivan Rus’
OCU’s 2026 church calendar writes April 12 as “The Bright Resurrection of Christ. Paskha. Velykden,” placing both words side by side. Ukraine’s Labor Code likewise writes “Пасха (Великдень)” side by side.
What the 2023 Calendar Reform Left Unchanged
OCU’s Council of Bishops decision of May 24, 2023, in item 1, permits parishes and monasteries to use the new Julian calendar, with a parenthetical note that “the traditional paschalion shall continue to be observed unchanged.” Item 2 set the transition from September 1, 2023 (the start of the new church year).
UGCC’s Synod of Bishops in Ukraine, meeting on February 1-2, 2023, decided that, from September 1, fixed-date holidays would be celebrated on the new calendar, while “the current paschalion” would remain. When announcing this, the head of the church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said the reform proceeded in two stages, and that the decision on Easter was to “wait a little,” explaining that toward the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025, a dialogue between Rome and Constantinople was exploring a new paschalion so that Christians worldwide could celebrate Easter on the same day.
According to a report on UGCC’s official website dated April 11, 2024, Shevchuk explained on the television channel “Live TV” program “Open Church” why UGCC in Ukraine continues to use the old paschalion, saying it was because they wanted “to celebrate Easter together with our Orthodox brothers.” On the same program, Shevchuk also said that many UGCC parishes outside Ukraine already celebrate Easter using the new paschalion.
Easter as a State Holiday
Article 73 of Ukraine’s Labor Code, which lists the country’s public holidays, gives the following three as “religious holidays,” providing that work is not to be done on these days.
один день (неділя) – Пасха (Великдень)
Labor Code, Article 73, paragraph 2 (Verkhovna Rada legal database, version of July 31, 2026). English translation by this article
один день (неділя) – Трійця
25 грудня – Різдво Христове.
(“One day (Sunday) — Paskha (Velykden) / One day (Sunday) — Trinity / December 25 — the Nativity of Christ”)
The text does not specify which church’s calendar the Sunday follows. Article 73 also opens with a note that the article does not apply during martial law. The full history of the holiday list, and its treatment under martial law, is covered in detail in our article on Independence Day and public holidays.
A Timeline of the Calendar and Easter
| Year | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 325 | The Council of Nicaea. Said to have decided that Easter be celebrated on the Sunday following the full moon after the equinox | IEU “Easter”; ВУЕ “Пасха” |
| 1582 | The calendar is reformed under Pope Gregory XIII, producing a new Easter table | USNO |
| 1584-1586 | Polish King Stefan Batory issues a decree permitting the Orthodox Church to continue using the Julian calendar | IEU “Calendar” |
| March 1, 1918 | The Central Rada introduces the Gregorian calendar for civil use. The church continues to use the Julian calendar | IEU “Calendar” |
| 1923 | A council of Orthodox churches in Constantinople approves the New Julian calendar | OCU’s 2023 decision text |
| February 1-2, 2023 | UGCC’s Synod decides on the new calendar from September 1, and on retaining the paschalion | UGCC |
| May 24, 2023 | OCU’s Council of Bishops likewise decides on the new calendar and retaining the paschalion | OCU |
| April 20, 2025 | Easter falls on the same day in the Eastern and Western churches | The Holy See; OCU |
| November 29, 2025 | Joint declaration by Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I | The Holy See |
1700 Years From Nicaea: How Far Has the “Same-Day Easter” Conversation Gone?
2025 marked the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and that year Eastern and Western Easter fell together on April 20. On November 29 of that year, Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople signed a joint declaration in Istanbul. The declaration notes that the Council of Nicaea set out a standard for a common Easter date for all Christians, expresses gratitude that the whole Christian world celebrated Easter on the same day that year, and states a wish to continue the process of seeking a solution for celebrating it together every year.
The declaration does not set out a new calculation method or say when any change would take effect. The 2026 calendars of OCU and UGCC placed Easter on April 12 using the traditional paschalion. Whether the two churches will revise their calculation going forward will need to be confirmed through each church’s own official announcements.
Sources and article record
Sources and references
- Постанова Архієрейського Собору ПЦУ від 24 травня 2023 р. «Про врегулювання календарного питання в Православній Церкві України»パスハリアの伝統はフィンランド正教会を除く全正教会に共通、13日と2100年からの14日、第1項のかっこ書き「伝統的なパスハリアを変わらず守る」、第2項の2023年9月1日、第4項の委員会への求め、1923年の会議. The paschalion tradition is shared by all Orthodox churches except the Finnish one; the 13-day/14-day-from-2100 gap; item 1's note to keep the traditional paschalion unchanged; item 2's September 1, 2023 date; item 4's request to a committee; the 1923 council
Published by Православна Церква України（pomisna.info） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Церковний календар на 2026 рікПасха 12 квітня、大斎・受難週・光明週間・ペトロの斎の期間、4月5日の主のエルサレム入城、4月19日のアンティパスハ、4月20日からの「Проводи」、5月21日の昇天、5月31日の三位一体、6月29日のペトロとパウロ. Easter April 12; the periods of Great Lent, Holy Week, Bright Week, and the Fast of Peter; the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem on Apr 5; Antipascha on Apr 19; "Provody" from Apr 20; the Ascension on May 21; Trinity on May 31; Peter and Paul on Jun 29
Published by Православна Церква України（pomisna.info） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Богослужіння свята Пасхи – Світлого Христового Воскресіння2024年5月5日、2025年4月20日、2026年4月12日の各年の記事. Articles giving the dates May 5, 2024; April 20, 2025; April 12, 2026
Published by Православна Церква України（pomisna.info） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Історичне рішення: УГКЦ в Україні переходить на новий календар第93回会期・2023年2月1〜2日、「現行のパスハリアを保って」、二段階、ニカイア1700年とローマ・コンスタンティノープルの対話. The 93rd session, February 1-2, 2023; "keeping the current paschalion"; the two-stage approach; the Nicaea 1700th anniversary and the Rome-Constantinople dialogue
Published by Українська Греко-Католицька Церква（ugcc.ua） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Блаженніший Святослав пояснив, чому УГКЦ в Україні святкує Пасху за старим стилем2024年4月11日。正教の兄弟と祝う、国外の教区の多くは新しいパスハリア. April 11, 2024: celebrating with Orthodox brothers; many parishes outside Ukraine using the new paschalion
Published by Українська Греко-Католицька Церква（ugcc.ua） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Розклад богослужінь на Страсний тиждень і Великдень у Патріаршому соборі Воскресіння Христового2026年4月12日の復活祭. Easter of April 12, 2026
Published by Українська Греко-Католицька Церква（ugcc.ua） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Кодекс законів про працю України 第73条宗教の祝日「Пасха (Великдень)」「Трійця」、戒厳令期間中の不適用の注記。2026年7月31日版. Labor Code, Article 73: the religious holidays "Paskha (Velykden)" and "Trinity"; the note on non-application during martial law. Version of July 31, 2026
Published by Верховна Рада України（zakon.rada.gov.ua） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Easterニカイア公会議、Velykden の語、ダマスコのイオアンの翻訳、死者の記憶とフォマの日曜日。執筆 Z. Kuzelia, P. Odarchenko. The Council of Nicaea; the word Velykden; John of Damascus's translations; remembrance of the dead and Thomas Sunday. Written by Z. Kuzelia, P. Odarchenko
Published by Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine（CIUS） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Church holidays東方の復活祭は同じ日か1・4・5週遅れ、昇天は40日後。初出1984年. Eastern Easter falls on the same day or 1/4/5 weeks later; the Ascension 40 days after. First published 1984
Published by Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine（CIUS） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Calendar1584〜1586年のバートリの布告、1918年3月1日の中央ラーダの導入。執筆 Viktor Pavlovsky、初出1984年. Batory's 1584-1586 decree; the Central Rada's March 1, 1918 introduction. Written by Viktor Pavlovsky, first published 1984
Published by Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine（CIUS） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Пасха語源、ニカイア公会議、1582年の改革。執筆 П. Ю. Павленко、2020年4月30日公開. Etymology; the Council of Nicaea; the 1582 reform. Written by P. Yu. Pavlenko, published April 30, 2020
Published by Велика українська енциклопедія（国立学術機関「百科事典出版」） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Великденьギリシャ語のなぞり、1千年紀末の広まり、死者の記憶で締めくくる。2023年3月1日公開. The Greek calque; its spread late in the first millennium; concluding with remembrance of the dead. Published March 1, 2023
Published by Велика українська енциклопедія（国立学術機関「百科事典出版」） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - The Date of Easter教会の春分は3月21日に固定、教会の満月、1582年のグレゴリオ暦の表、東方はユリウス暦の表、計算法. The church's equinox fixed at March 21; the ecclesiastical full moon; the 1582 Gregorian table; the Eastern churches' Julian table; the calculation method
Published by U.S. Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Joint Declaration2025年11月29日、教皇レオ14世と全地総主教バルトロメオス1世。ニカイアの基準、2025年の同じ日の復活祭、共に祝う解決策を探る過程. November 29, 2025, Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I; the Nicaea standard; the same-day Easter of 2025; the process of seeking a solution to celebrate together
Published by The Holy See（vatican.va） · Checked: 2026-09-27 - Urbi et Orbi Message, Easter 2024 / 2025 / 2026各年の復活祭の日付：2024年3月31日、2025年4月20日、2026年4月5日. The Easter dates for each year: March 31, 2024; April 20, 2025; April 5, 2026
Published by The Holy See（vatican.va） · Checked: 2026-09-27
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