Major feast

St Nicholas

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra — Sunday, December 6, 2026 in 2026.

St Nicholas, fourth-century bishop of Myra in Lycia, is among the most widely venerated saints in the Orthodox Church, remembered for his defence of the faith at Nicaea and his generosity to the poor.

When is St Nicholas in 2026?

In 2026 the feast falls on Sunday, December 6, 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.

YearDateFasting that day
2026Sunday, December 6, 2026Nativity Fast
2027Monday, December 6, 2027Nativity Fast
2028Wednesday, December 6, 2028Nativity Fast
2029Thursday, December 6, 2029Nativity Fast

Fasting on St Nicholas

Falls within the Nativity Fast; fish, wine and oil are permitted on the feast.

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 December 2026, or see the whole of 2026.

Related feasts

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