Public holiday in Bulgaria
Orthodox Easter Day in Bulgaria
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Orthodox Easter Day is the main Easter Sunday observance in Bulgaria, celebrated according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar. It is a nationwide public holiday.
About Orthodox Easter Day in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, Orthodox Easter Day marks the central feast of the Orthodox Christian year and is observed across the country as a public holiday. The day follows the Orthodox calendar rather than the Western Christian calendar, so its date changes from year to year. It is usually associated with the final day of Holy Week and the Easter period that includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday and the days that follow.
History
Bulgaria’s Easter observance is tied to the long-standing tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy in the country. After the restoration of Bulgaria’s state church life in the modern era, Easter remained the most significant Christian feast in public and private life for many Orthodox Bulgarians.
Traditions
Common Bulgarian Easter customs include dyeing eggs, especially the first egg in red, baking and sharing sweet Easter bread such as kozunak, and greeting one another with the Easter salute "Christ is risen" and the reply "Truly he is risen". Families often crack decorated eggs against each other, a game associated with good luck and the strength of the egg that remains unbroken.
How Orthodox Easter Day is celebrated in Bulgaria
Many people attend church services late on Holy Saturday or on Easter morning, then celebrate at home with family meals. In towns and villages, the day is usually marked by visiting relatives, exchanging painted eggs and sharing Easter dishes after the Lenten fast.
Interesting facts
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for determining Easter, which is why the holiday does not always совпад with Western Easter Sunday. Kozunak is a familiar Easter bread in Bulgaria and is commonly prepared in homes or bought from bakeries in the days leading up to the feast.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 Apr 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.