Parents, March 2026
Growing up Greek American, the question, “When is Orthodox Easter this year?” always popped up once the warmer weather rolled around. I always looked forward to the traditions and food that came along with the holiday, but never really understood why I usually celebrated on a different day than other Americans who celebrated Easter. In 2026, Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday, April 12. Below is a guide to Orthodox Easter and ways to celebrate with your little ones.
What Is Orthodox Easter?
You might have heard the term Greek Easter, but Greeks are far from the only ones who celebrate Orthodox Easter. After Catholicism and Protestantism, Orthodoxy is the third largest branch of Christianity, according to the Pew Research Center, with about 260 million Orthodox Christians around the globe.1
Although the majority live in Europe, Orthodox Christians also live in other parts of the world, including the Middle East and Africa. Everything is typically the same, liturgically speaking. However, traditions may vary depending on the country a person is from.
“Easter is a big deal for Orthodox Christians, even more so than Christmas,” says George E. Demacopoulos, PhD, co-director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center and a professor of theology at Fordham University. “Everything about the Orthodox Christian calendar is focused on the resurrection of Jesus.”
