Church Calendar for October 2026: A Complete List of Holidays and Fasts
October is a special month in the church year, as it begins with one of the most revered major feasts—the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God—which holds deep spiritual and historical significance for the Ukrainian people. Throughout the month, believers also honor the memory of the holy apostles, martyrs, and the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki.
Major Church Holidays in October
October 1 — The Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. One of the most important feasts dedicated to the Mother of God, established in commemoration of the miraculous apparition of the Mother of God at the Blachernae Church in Constantinople, when she covered the faithful with her omophorion and protected the city from invaders. In Ukraine, the Feast of the Protection is traditionally considered a patronal feast for the Cossacks and the Ukrainian army.
October 18 — Saint Luke the Glorious and All-Praised Apostle and Evangelist. The day of remembrance for Saint Luke the Apostle, companion of the Apostle Paul and author of one of the four Gospels and the Book of Acts of the Apostles. According to church tradition, it was the Apostle Luke who painted the first icons of the Mother of God, which is why he is considered the patron saint of iconographers and doctors.
October 26 — Saint and Glorious Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. In folk tradition, this day is known as Demetrius’ Day (or Dmitra’s Day). The Great Martyr Demetrius is honored as the patron saint of soldiers, the defender of the Christian faith, and an intercessor for peace. On the eve of this day, Demetrius’s Memorial Saturday for the Departed is observed.
Chronological Calendar of All Saints and Events for October
October 1: The Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. Saint Ananias the Apostle. Venerable Roman the Melodist.
October 2: Saint Cyprian, the Holy Priest-Martyr, and Saint Justina, the Holy Martyr.
October 3: Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, Holy Hieromartyr.
October 4: Saint Hierotheus, the Holy Martyr and Bishop of Athens.
October 5: Saint Charitina, the Martyr.
October 6: Saint Thomas (Thomas), the Glorious and All-Praised Apostle.
October 7: Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Martyrs.
October 8: Saint Pelagia the Venerable.
October 9: Saint James the son of Alphaeus, the glorious and all-praised Apostle.
October 10: Saints Eulampius and Eulampia, Martyrs.
October 11: Saint Philip, one of the Seventy Apostles.
October 12: Saints Probus, Tarachus, and Andronicus, Martyrs.
October 13: Saint Carpus, the Holy Priest-Martyr.
October 14: Saint Paraskeva of Serbia.
October 15: Saint Euphymius the New, Venerable Martyr; Saint Lucian, Holy Priest-Martyr.
October 16: Saint Longinus the Centurion, Martyr.
October 17: Saint Hosea the Prophet. Saint Andrew of Crete, the Venerable Martyr.
October 18: Saint Luke, the Glorious and All-Praised Apostle and Evangelist.
October 19: Saint Joel the Prophet. Saint Uar the Martyr.
October 20: Saint Artemius, the Great Martyr.
October 21: Saint Hilarion the Great.
October 22: Saint Avercius, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Bishop of Hierapolis.
October 23: Saint James the Apostle, the Lord’s brother by flesh.
October 24: Saint Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople. Saint Aret, the Martyr.
October 25: Saints Markian and Martirius, Martyrs.
October 26: Saint and Glorious Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica (Dmitri).
October 27: Saint Nestor the Martyr.
October 28: Saints Terentius and Neonila, Martyrs. Venerable Paraskeva of Tarsus.
October 29: Saint Anastasia of Rome, the Venerable Martyr.
October 30: Saints Zeno and Zenoia, the Holy Priest-Martyrs and Bishop of the Aegean.
October 31: The Holy Apostles of the Seventy—Stachys, Amplias, and others with them.
