The Orthodox Church of Ukraine changes the date of Epiphany: when it will be celebrated in 2026.

According to ТСН: In 2026, Ukrainians will celebrate the holiday of Epiphany according to the New Julian calendar.

Changes in the date of the celebration of the Lord's Baptism

Previously, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine followed the Julian calendar, according to which the Lord's Baptism was celebrated on January 19. In 2023, the OCU decided to switch to the New Julian calendar, which is more accurate and modern:

• superior to the Julian calendar;

• more precise than the Gregorian calendar, closer to real astronomical events.

Due to this change, all non-movable holidays, including the Lord's Baptism, have shifted 13 days earlier. Therefore, Epiphany in 2026 falls on January 6.

What is the holiday of Epiphany

The Lord's Baptism is one of the main twelve holidays of the Orthodox Church, which concludes the Christmas season and has deep sacred meaning for the Ukrainian people. This holiday is also called Theophany, as it celebrates the moment when Jesus Christ received baptism in the Jordan River from John the Baptist.

During the Baptism of the Savior, the world first experienced the unity of the Holy Trinity: God the Father spoke from heaven, the Son of God immersed in the waters of the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. This day symbolizes not only spiritual purification but also the rite of purifying water, which has become the main tradition of the holiday.

Traditions and rituals on Epiphany

Epiphany in Ukraine has a rich set of traditions:

1. Blessing of Water – the blessing of water in churches and natural water bodies, which gives it healing properties;

2. Bathing in the Jordan – immersion in icy water, symbolizing purification from sins and renewal of body and spirit;

3. Epiphany Evening – a fasting dinner on the eve of the holiday with traditional dishes: kutia, uzvar, lean borscht;

4. Folk customs – cleaning homes, singing carols, releasing doves during the water blessing; wax crosses symbolize the Holy Trinity and protect the family.

Special attention in the traditions is paid to the preparation of the hole in the shape of a cross, the blessing of water by a priest, and the rituals that have come down to us from pre-Christian times.

Festive table on Epiphany

Despite the fast and spiritual meaning of the holiday, Ukrainians prepare a variety of lean dishes, each with symbolic significance:

• Hungry kutia – without butter and cream;

• Uzvar – compote of dried fruits;

• Lean borscht – with dried fruits;

• Fish, dumplings, cabbage rolls, and pies – with various lean fillings;

• Cookies 'Crosses' – ritual treat symbolizing prosperity.

The essence of the Epiphany holiday

Epiphany (Lord's Baptism, Theophany) is not only a church holiday but also a spiritual renewal and unity with the historical and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people. Immersing in the hole, blessing the water, and performing the ancestors' rituals, every Ukrainian honors the manifestation of the Holy Trinity, the purification of the soul, and physical healing.

The Epiphany holiday is a harmonious combination of faith, traditions, and folk customs, which are passed down from generation to generation. It is important to remember that this holiday is not only religious but also social, bringing communities together around shared values and traditions.