Protection of the Theotokos
Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos — Thursday, October 1, 2026 in 2026.
The vision of St Andrew the Fool-for-Christ in the Blachernae church at Constantinople, in which the Theotokos spread her veil in protection over the faithful. Called Pokrov in the Slavic tradition.
When is Protection of the Theotokos in 2026?
In 2026 the feast falls on Thursday, October 1, 2026. It is a fixed feast and keeps the same date every year on the New Calendar; Old Calendar parishes keep it thirteen days later on the civil calendar.
| Year | Date | Fasting that day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, October 1, 2026 | No Fast |
| 2027 | Friday, October 1, 2027 | Fast |
| 2028 | Sunday, October 1, 2028 | No Fast |
| 2029 | Monday, October 1, 2029 | No Fast |
Fasting on Protection of the Theotokos
A feast of the Theotokos: fish, wine and oil are permitted if it falls on a fast day.
Fasting practice varies between jurisdictions, parishes and households — see the Orthodox fasting rules for the full picture and speak with your priest about your own rule.
See this feast in the calendar
Open the day itself for the saints, feast and fasting rule in full, browse October 2026, or see the whole of 2026.