When is Russian Easter 2026?

Easter is the most sacred and emotionally powerful holiday in Russia. Known locally as Pascha, it represents the heart of the Russian Orthodox faith and stands above all other religious celebrations. While Christmas in Russia is deeply respected, Easter carries far greater spiritual weight, marking the triumph of life, hope, and resurrection.

In 2026, millions of believers across Russia will once again gather in churches, homes, and public spaces to celebrate Easter with prayers, symbolic foods, ancient rituals, and heartfelt greetings. This guide explores when Easter will be celebrated in Russia in 2026 and explains how Russian Easter traditions are observed, from midnight church services to family feasts and symbolic customs.

When is Easter in Russia in 2026?

Official Easter Date in Russia (2026)

In 2026, Easter in Russia will be celebrated on Sunday, April 12

Russia follows the Orthodox Christian calendar, which calculates Easter using the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar used in Western Christianity. As a result, Russian Easter often falls later than Catholic or Protestant Easter, although in some years the dates coincide.

Why Russian Easter Often Falls on a Different Date

Julian vs Gregorian Calendar Explained

The Russian Orthodox Church continues to follow the Julian calendar, which currently lags 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. Easter is calculated based on:

• The spring equinox

• The first full moon after the equinox

• The first Sunday following that full moon

Because the Orthodox Church uses older calendar calculations, Easter in Russia can occur anywhere between early April and early May in the modern calendar.

This system ensures continuity with ancient Christian traditions that date back to the early centuries of the Church.

What Is Easter Called in Russia?

In Russia, Easter is known as “Pascha” (Пасха). The name comes from the Greek word Pascha, which itself originates from the Hebrew Pesach (Passover). The connection highlights the biblical link between the Jewish Passover and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Unlike Western cultures that may focus on spring imagery or commercial symbols, Russian Pascha remains deeply spiritual and rooted in theology.

The Spiritual Importance of Easter in Russian Culture

The Holiest Day of the Year

Easter is considered the most important religious celebration in Russia, surpassing Christmas in significance. It commemorates Jesus Christ rising from the dead and represents:

• Victory over death

• Renewal of faith

• Forgiveness and hope

• The promise of eternal life

For practicing Orthodox Christians, Easter is the culmination of a long spiritual journey that begins weeks earlier with fasting, prayer, and self-reflection.

Preparation for Easter: Great Lent in Russia

The 40-Day Spiritual Journey

Before Easter, Russian Orthodox believers observe Great Lent, a strict fasting period lasting approximately 40 days, followed by Holy Week. During this time:

• Meat, dairy, eggs, and rich foods are traditionally avoided

• Many believers reduce entertainment and distractions

• Prayer, charity, and repentance are emphasized

The purpose of Lent is spiritual purification rather than dietary discipline. By the time Easter arrives, the celebration feels deeply earned and meaningful.

Holy Week in Russia

The Final Days Before Easter

Holy Week is a solemn and emotional period in Russian Orthodox life. Each day carries spiritual meaning, with special church services held throughout the week.

Key moments include:

• Palm Sunday – Commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

• Holy Thursday – Remembers the Last Supper

• Good Friday – Marks the crucifixion of Christ (a day of silence and mourning)

• Holy Saturday – A day of anticipation before resurrection

Church attendance increases significantly during this week, even among those who may not attend regularly during the year.

How Is Easter Celebrated in Russia?

Midnight Church Services

The most iconic Russian Easter tradition is the midnight church service. On Easter night:

• Churches are filled with worshippers holding lit candles

• Bells ring continuously to announce Christ’s resurrection

• Priests wear bright vestments symbolizing victory and joy

• The greeting “Christ is Risen!” is proclaimed

The response is always: “Truly He is Risen!”

This exchange is not just ceremonial—it is a declaration of faith shared among believers.

Easter Morning in Russia

A Day of Joy and Celebration

After the night service, Easter Sunday is a joyful and festive day. Unlike the quiet solemnity of Holy Week, Easter is marked by:

• Smiles, greetings, and warm embraces

• Visits to family and close friends

• Shared meals after weeks of fasting

Even people who do not regularly attend church often participate in Easter customs due to their cultural importance.

Traditional Russian Easter Foods

Symbolic Dishes on the Easter Table

Food plays a meaningful role in Russian Easter, but every dish carries symbolic value rather than indulgence alone.

Kulich – Easter Bread

Kulich is a tall, cylindrical sweet bread, often decorated with white icing and religious symbols. It represents joy and abundance after fasting.

Paskha – Easter Dessert

Paskha is a rich dessert made from curd cheese, shaped like a pyramid. It symbolizes the tomb of Christ and is often decorated with a cross or the letters “XB.”

Painted Eggs

Eggs, traditionally dyed red, symbolize new life and resurrection. Red represents the blood of Christ and the promise of renewal.

Before eating, many families bring their food baskets to church to be blessed by a priest.

The Meaning of Easter Eggs in Russia

More Than Decoration

Unlike modern decorative eggs, Russian Easter eggs are deeply symbolic. Common traditions include:

• Tapping eggs together to see which one cracks

• Gifting eggs as a sign of goodwill

• Exchanging eggs with the Easter greeting

These customs reinforce themes of rebirth, unity, and shared faith.

Easter Greetings and Customs

How Russians Greet Each Other on Easter

On Easter Sunday, it is customary to greet people with:

• “Christ is Risen!”

• “Truly He is Risen!”

This greeting may be exchanged multiple times throughout the day, even with strangers. In some families, it is accompanied by a triple kiss on the cheek, symbolizing love and unity.

Is Easter a Public Holiday in Russia?

Work and Daily Life During Easter

Easter Sunday itself is not an official public holiday in Russia, although it always falls on a Sunday. However:

• Many people attend church early in the morning

• Families plan gatherings and meals

• Television channels broadcast religious services

In recent years, regional authorities may support Easter events or allow flexibility for observance, reflecting the holiday’s cultural importance.

Easter and Russian National Identity

Faith, History, and Tradition

Easter in Russia is more than a religious event—it is deeply connected to national identity. Over centuries, Pascha has survived:

• Imperial rule

• Soviet-era religious suppression

• Modern political and social changes

Today, Easter remains a powerful symbol of continuity, resilience, and spiritual heritage.

How Easter in Russia Differs from Western Easter

Russian Easter stands apart due to:

• A different calendar system

• Greater emphasis on fasting and spiritual preparation

• Midnight services rather than morning celebrations

• Minimal commercial influence

While Western Easter may focus on spring themes and family brunches, Russian Easter centers on faith, ritual, and sacred symbolism.

Easter in Russia 2026: What to Expect

In 2026, Easter in Russia on April 12 will once again unite millions in prayer, celebration, and tradition. Churches will glow with candlelight, bells will echo across cities and villages, and families will gather around tables filled with symbolic foods.

Whether observed devoutly or culturally, Easter remains a defining moment in the Russian calendar—a celebration of hope, renewal, and timeless faith

Easter in Russia is not simply a holiday—it is an experience shaped by centuries of belief, sacrifice, and devotion. From the long Lenten fast to the joyful proclamation of resurrection, every element of Russian Pascha carries meaning.

If you are learning about global traditions or planning content around religious holidays, understanding Russian Easter in 2026 offers insight into one of the world’s most enduring spiritual celebrations.