2026 Major Fasting Calendar

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Tsome Nenewe (Nineveh) - Feb 2, 2026 - Feb 4, 2026, (3 Days)

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Abiy Tsom (Great Lent) - Feb 16, 2026 - April 11, 2026, (55 Days)

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Tsome Hawariyat (Apostles) - June 1, 2026 - July 11, 2026, (41 Days)

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Tsome Dihnet (Salvation)*June 3, 2026—Weekly

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Tsome Filseta (Assumption) - Aug 7, 2026 - Aug 21, 2026 (15 Days)

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Tsome Nebiyat (Prophets) - Nov 24, 2026 - Jan 6, 2027 (44 Days)

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Key Fasting Rules

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1. Vegan Diet: No meat, fats, milk, butter, cheese, or eggs are consumed.

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2. Timing: Traditionally, no food or drink is taken from midnight until the afternoon (usually after 3:00 PM when the mass ends).

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3. : Fasting is not required for children under 7, the very elderly, or those who are ill.

 

4. The "Fast-Free" Period: There is no fasting on Wednesdays or Fridays during the 50 days after Easter (Paskha), as this is a season of pure celebration.

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Major Feasts and Holidays for 2026

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Gena (Christmas) - January 7 -  The Nativity of Jesus Christ.

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Timkat (Epiphany) - January 19 - Commemorates the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River.

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Kana Ze-Galila - January 20 - The Wedding at Cana; the first miracle of Jesus.

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Tsome Nenewe - Feb 2 – 4 - The Fast of Nineveh (Moveable feast).

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Abiy Tsom (Lent) - February 16 - The start of the 55-day Great Lent.

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Hosanna - April 5 - Palm Sunday; Christ's entry into Jerusalem.

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Siklet (Good Friday) - April 10 - The Crucifixion of Jesus.

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Fasika (Easter) - April 12 - The Resurrection of Christ (The greatest feast).

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Beata (Ascension) - May 21 - Christ's ascension into Heaven (40 days after Easter).

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Paraclitos - May 31 - Pentecost; the descent of the Holy Spirit.

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Enkutatash - September 11 - The Ethiopian New Year (Start of 2019 E.C.).

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Meskel - September 27 - The Finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena (Eleni).

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