Parents' Saturdays during Great Lent 2026: dates and traditions

Parents' Memorial Saturday is considered a special day of prayer for all the deceased. On these days, believers remember their deceased relatives and loved ones, and special services are held in churches.

As Father Myroslav explained to UNIAN, during Great Lent, the church establishes three such memorial Saturdays. On these days, believers can submit notes with the names of people for whom the priest prays during the service.

At the same time, the church prays not only for those whose names are submitted in the notes. During the service, all those who have passed away are also remembered.

"These dates are determined by the church calendar: as Lent shifts, so do the Saturdays. The calendar itself remains unchanged, only the date of Easter changes, and all other days are calculated from it," the priest explained.

According to him, Lent in 2026 began on 23 February and will last until 5 April.

Parental Saturdays fall on the second, third and fourth weeks of Lent.

In 2026, the dates of these memorial days are as follows:

— Memorial Saturday of the second week of Great Lent — 7 March;
— Memorial Memorial Saturday of the third week of Lent — 14 March;
— Memorial Saturday of the fourth week of Lent — 21 March.

After these days, Holy Week begins — the period before Easter, which in church tradition is considered a special time of spiritual preparation.

According to the priest, on Memorial Saturday, believers are encouraged to visit the church, pray for the dead, and light a candle. You

can also bring a donation to the church, such as cookies or bread, and submit a note with the names of relatives for whom you want to pray.