According to Ukrainian tradition and Church doctrine, these are the forbidden days to marry:
Four major fasts of the year include:
• Great Lent (From Meatfare Sunday - second Sunday before Great Lent to St. Thomas Sunday – Sunday after Easter. This includes Bright Week - week after Easter Sunday) – these days are different each year so check a church calendar.
• Apostles Fast – refer to Church Calendar. Eight weeks after Easter comes the Sunday of All Saints. The next day, Monday, the Fast of the Holy Apostles begins. The Fast lasts until the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul - June 29 (if following the Gregorian Calendar) or July 12 (if following the Julian Calendar)
• Dormition Fast: Aug. 1- Aug. 15/Aug. 14 – Aug. 28
• Nativity Fast (St. Philip’s Fast): Nov. 15 through Dec. 24
On the Eve and Day of:
• Beheading of St. John the Baptist: Aug. 29/Sept. 11
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross: September 14/September 27
Major Feast Days and the days preceding them:
• Nativity (Christmas Eve): Dec. 25/Jan. 7 through Theophany (Epiphany): Jan. 6/Jan. 19
• Meeting of Our Lord: Feb. 2/Feb. 15
• Nativity of the Mother of God: Sept. 8/Sept. 21
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross: Sept. 14/Sept. 27
• Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple: Nov. 21/Dec. 4
Movable Feast days (including the preceding day):
• Easter – refer to Church Calendar
• Ascension – refer to Church Calendar (40 days after Easter)
• Pentecost – refer to Church Calendar (50 days after Easter)
Go to the last Traditions section: Wedding Checklist
- On the eve of every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year
- On the eve of every Sunday and major Holy Days
Four major fasts of the year include:
• Great Lent (From Meatfare Sunday - second Sunday before Great Lent to St. Thomas Sunday – Sunday after Easter. This includes Bright Week - week after Easter Sunday) – these days are different each year so check a church calendar.
• Apostles Fast – refer to Church Calendar. Eight weeks after Easter comes the Sunday of All Saints. The next day, Monday, the Fast of the Holy Apostles begins. The Fast lasts until the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul - June 29 (if following the Gregorian Calendar) or July 12 (if following the Julian Calendar)
• Dormition Fast: Aug. 1- Aug. 15/Aug. 14 – Aug. 28
• Nativity Fast (St. Philip’s Fast): Nov. 15 through Dec. 24
On the Eve and Day of:
• Beheading of St. John the Baptist: Aug. 29/Sept. 11
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross: September 14/September 27
Major Feast Days and the days preceding them:
• Nativity (Christmas Eve): Dec. 25/Jan. 7 through Theophany (Epiphany): Jan. 6/Jan. 19
• Meeting of Our Lord: Feb. 2/Feb. 15
• Nativity of the Mother of God: Sept. 8/Sept. 21
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross: Sept. 14/Sept. 27
• Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple: Nov. 21/Dec. 4
Movable Feast days (including the preceding day):
• Easter – refer to Church Calendar
• Ascension – refer to Church Calendar (40 days after Easter)
• Pentecost – refer to Church Calendar (50 days after Easter)
Go to the last Traditions section: Wedding Checklist