Memorial Saturdays in 2026: calendar, rules of commemoration

In the Orthodox tradition, there is a special time for prayers for the deceased — memorial Saturdays. On these days, believers visit churches, submit notes, read funeral prayers and remember relatives who are no longer around. In 2026, there will be several such Saturdays, each with its own spiritual meaning and history. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

What are memorial Saturdays?

Memorial Saturdays in the Orthodox tradition are specially designated days in the church year for general and public commemoration of the deceased. On these Saturdays, funeral services are held in churches: memorial services, parastases, lithias.

At the liturgy, petitions for the repose of the souls of the deceased are read and memorial lists (notes) are often read out. The purpose of these days is not only the private prayer of relatives, but also the general Church remembrance of all the dead, which reflects the idea of the communion of the Church of the living and the dead and the need for mutual prayer assistance.

Memorial Saturdays have different natures, some are "universal", that is, designed to cover the memory of all the deceased, others are dedicated to specific memorable dates and saints. The entire complex of memorial days is part of the liturgical rhythm and is important for the spiritual life of the parishes.

The full calendar of commemoration Saturdays in 2026 in Orthodoxy

In 2026, the church calendar marks several key memorial Saturdays. Ecumenical church-wide Saturdays include the Myasopust parents' Saturday before the beginning of Great Lent, as well as several Saturdays of the Great Lenten weeks, when funeral services are performed.

The main dates of memorial Saturdays and related events in 2026 include: February 14 — Universal Parental (Myasopustnaya) Saturday; March 7, March 14 and March 21 — parental Saturdays during Lent; April 21 — Radonitsa (Tuesday after Easter, day of general commemoration of the deceased); May 9 — commemoration of the dead warriors; May 30 — Trinity Ecumenical Parents' Saturday.

In addition, there are regional and local memorial dates, for example, Dmitrievskaya (Dimitrievskaya) parents' Saturday, dedicated to the memory of soldiers and celebrated in November. In 2026, its date is officially called November 7.

How to remember the dead properly

Ecumenical Parental Saturdays are focused on universal commemoration. They commemorate not only relatives, but also all the deceased in the universal sense.

Myasopustnaya Saturday traditionally precedes the beginning of Great Lent and serves as a sign of preparation for the period of repentance.

Trinity Ecumenical Saturday is associated with the feast of Pentecost and is considered a day of special commemoration of the deceased.

The parental Saturdays of Great Lent help to focus on repentance and prayer for the dead on the eve of Easter.

Dmitrievsky Parents' Saturday has a more pronounced military and memorial character: according to legend, it was established in memory of those who died on the battlefield and is especially revered in connection with the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica and with the events of national history, where the image of the defender of the Fatherland is combined with Christian commemoration.

How to remember the dead properly: prayers, visits to the temple and cemetery

Proper commemoration is a combination of prayer and concrete help. In the church, it is customary to submit notes with the names of the deceased for commemoration at the proskomedia and for the funeral litany. Church-wide prayers and canons are read in the divine services, as well as memorial services.

Grave graves are visited by believers, who pray at the graves, read penitential and funeral prayers, light candles, clean graves and give alms to the poor — this is considered a manifestation of love and mercy.

Among the general church texts there are specific prayer formulas: Troparion and Kontakion for the deceased, as well as akathists and special funeral services; texts and recommendations for their reading are available in liturgical collections and on the resources of Orthodox publications.

What is important for parishioners and relatives of the deceased to know

Memorial Saturdays are not only days of mourning, they are intended for prayerful help and spiritual strengthening of the living. The Church calls for regular commemorations: commemorating the deceased on death anniversaries, birthdays, and church-wide Saturdays, as well as participating in divine services and giving alms.

The practical planning of a visit on memorial Saturday includes the preliminary submission of notes to the temple, specifying the time of the memorial service and, if necessary, approving a trip to the cemetery. Diocesan websites and printed Orthodox calendars publish current dates and recommendations — they should be used as a guide when organizing commemorations.