"Holiday of Holidays": everything you need to know about Easter 2026

      Easter 2026: What is this celebration?

      As explained by the rector of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Archpriest Leonid Kudryachov, Easter is the heart of the entire Christian faith. What is its essence?

      — Easter is rightly called "the feast of feasts and the celebration of celebrations." Everything important is expressed in the Easter greeting: "Christ is risen!" Risen means come to life. He who was crucified and died on the cross appeared to His disciples alive and tangible on the third day. This victory over death was accomplished for us; it is a gift so that we too may have a future, so that we may rise with Christ and enter eternal life, – quotes the priest the portal 56orb.ru.

      When is Easter celebrated in 2026?

      Since the date of the holiday changes every year, many are interested in what date Easter falls on in 2026. This year it falls on April 12.

      According to Father Leonid, Easter retains its special solemnity throughout the entire Easter week – the week leading up to the next Sunday. During these days, services in churches are conducted as festively as on Easter night: joyful bell ringing is heard, and processions take place around the churches.

      — In general, the Easter period lasts 40 days – until the Ascension of the Lord (in 2026 it falls on May 21). And each Sunday after that is a little Easter. Easter is the very breath of the Church: Sunday is the inhale, weekdays are the exhale. Thus, we are nourished by hope for eternal life and thank God for it, – shared the rector.

      What is Radonitsa?

      Believers have a special date – Parent's Easter, or Radonitsa. It occurs on the ninth day after Easter Sunday (in 2026 – April 21). On this day, it is customary to visit cemeteries and prayerfully remember deceased relatives, but not with sadness, rather with Easter joy.

      — Christ "has trampled death," it will not hold people forever. Everyone will gain new life, so our separation from the departed loved ones is not forever. This is the main thought of Radonitsa, – explains the priest.

      Easter Kulich – not just a pastry, but a symbol

      Not everyone knows that the tradition of baking a tall round bread from yeast dough came from Byzantium. After the Ascension of Christ, the place at the Easter table that was previously occupied by the Teacher remained empty. The apostles placed the kulich there – as a sign that the risen Lord is invisibly present among them. Today, the Easter kulich reminds us that God is invisibly present at every believer's table.

      Every hostess has her own secrets. To prevent the pastry from burning, experienced cooks advise placing a container of water in the oven and covering the top of the kulich with slightly dampened baking paper. And most importantly – knead the dough in a good mood, without irritation.

      Easter traditions and signs

      Before the holiday, treats are prepared: kulich, cottage cheese pascha, dyed eggs. While exchanging them, they greet each other with: "Christ is Risen!" – "Truly He is Risen!" – and kiss three times. Initially, eggs were only dyed red, but now any shades can be used.

      Sunny weather on Easter predicts a happy and fruitful year. It was believed that on this day the sun "plays" – shimmering in different colors, which promises fertility.

      A clear Easter morning promises a warm summer, favorable for fieldwork, and a rich harvest of grain.

      Many stars in the sky before Easter indicate a successful year with stable weather. A calm day predicts a small number of storms in the year. Dry weather at the beginning of Easter week indicates a good harvest of grains.